Vietnam is clarifying the attack on a fishing boat in the Hoang Sa waters.

On August 31, in response to a reporter's question asking for a reaction to information that a Vietnamese fishing vessel was attacked while operating in the waters of Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said that Vietnamese authorities are urgently investigating the incident.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang

Vietnam possesses full legal grounds and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago in accordance with international law, as well as its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the maritime areas established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"Vietnam opposes all acts of using force against Vietnamese fishing vessels operating normally at sea, threatening the lives and safety, as well as causing damage to the property and interests of fishermen, contrary to international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," Ms. Hang emphasized.

Previously, as Thanh Nien newspaper reported, the People's Committee of Binh Son District (Quang Ngai province) stated that the fishing vessel QNg 90495 TS, belonging to fishermen from Binh Chau commune (Binh Son district), returned to shore on the evening of August 29th, reporting that it had been attacked by a vessel with Chinese characters on it, resulting in two injuries and significant damage to the vessel.

According to a report from fishermen on the fishing vessel QNg 90495 TS, at approximately 5:00 AM on August 28th, while the aforementioned fishing vessel was moving from Phu Lam Island (Hoang Sa) to Xa Cu reef to fish, it was pursued by a vessel bearing Chinese characters.

A ship with Chinese characters on it attacked the fishing vessel QNg 90495 TS.

FISHERMEN OF BOAT QNG 90495 TS PROVIDED

The boat owner, Huynh Van Hoanh (43 years old), said that the Chinese-flagged vessel, numbered 4201, used water cannons to spray in bursts and deployed a speedboat to approach closely. The fishing boat circled around, so vessel 4201 followed it until about 3 PM that day before leaving.

At this point, the fishing boat was severely damaged, with many parts of the wooden and glass structures shattered, showing signs of sinking. However, thanks to its spacious hold and water pumps, the boat did not sink into the sea.

When vessel number 4201 departed, another iron vessel flying the Chinese flag, number 4104, arrived. This vessel signaled its request to board the fishing boat to provide medical assistance to the injured fishermen, but the fishermen on board refused and steered the boat back towards the mainland.

According to reports from the People's Committee of Binh Chau commune and the People's Committee of Binh Son district, the fishing vessel QNg 90495 TS suffered severe damage. In addition to fisherman Hoanh, who suffered a broken right arm, fisherman Huynh Van Tien sustained head and facial injuries, and a number of marine electronic equipment on board were burned.

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Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-dang-lam-ro-vu-tau-ca-bi-tan-cong-o-vung-bien-hoang-sa-185230831205333144.htm