China still maintains military presence around oil rig
VGP – China on Sunday still maintained the presence of around 120 ships, including six military ones around the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 placed illegally in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone since early May.
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Vietnamese vessels have stayed firm despite China's aggression - Photo: VGP |
A military aircraft was also detected to fly some 500-700 meters above the illicit rig, according to the department.
Chinese ships got close to the Vietnamese vessels at the distance of 10-30 meters and kept them about 8-10 nautical miles away from the location of the illicit rig.
The Vietnamese fisheries surveillance vessels continued their activities to oppose and demand China immediately withdraw the oil rig as well as accompanying ships from Viet Nam’s waters.
Since early May, China illegally moved the rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 as well as a large fleet of armed ships, military ships and aircraft to Viet Nam’s waters and positioned the rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 miles deep into Viet Nam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
Despite Viet Nam’s protest, China has expanded its scale of operation and moved the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 36 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 11 seconds east longitude. The new location is 60 nautical miles deep inside Viet Nam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone./.
By Huong Giang
