According to authorised agencies in Vietnam , on August 1 and 14, two Vietnamese fishing boats from Quang Ngai , the QNg 96416 TS and QNg 96674 TS, were constrained and robbed by a number of Chinese ships while they were conducting regular fishing activities in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago waters of Vietnam .
More seriously, on August 15, while fishing in Hoang Sa waters, another Quang Ngai fishing vessel, the QNg 96697 TS, was stopped by two Chinese speedboats, both coded 207, whose crew illegally confiscated some property, destroyed equipment and beat the Vietnamese fishermen on board, reported the agencies.
“The acts violated Vietnam ’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea , running counter to international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC),” Binh said in response to reporters’ question about Vietnam ’s reaction to those acts.
It also went against the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and the common perception of both countries’ leaders on humane treatment of fishermen, he stressed.“ Vietnam demands that China investigate and deal seriouslywith the activities, at the same time prevent such acts from recurring and make proper compensation for Vietnamese fishermen,” stated Binh.
He also revealed that on September 9, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry met with Chinese embassy representatives in Hanoi to hand over a diplomatic note of protest.
