VietNamNet Bridge – A Foreign Ministry representative on Sunday met and delivered a diplomatic note to a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Ha Noi, objecting the recent ramming by a Chinese ship of a Vietnamese fishing vessel which was operating normally in an area totally within Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi further said yesterday, May 27, that such action by Chinese ships seriously violated Viet Nam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea, causing material losses and threatening the lives of Vietnamese fishermen.

"This action runs counter to an agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet Nam and China and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)," he said.

"Viet Nam requests China to strictly deal with the behaviour of the ships involved, properly compensate Vietnamese fishermen and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents," Nghi said.

Yesterday, the Fund for Support of Fishermen and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front of Quang Ngai Province provided financial assistance to the owner of the damaged boat to fund repair work.

Source: VNS