JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

Vietnam never yields to force: State President

Vietnam never yields to force: State President

Wednesday, July 02, 2014, 16:59 GMT+7

“Justice does not belong to those who use powerful weapons to bully others, and Vietnamese people will absolutely never yield to force,” State President Truong Tan Sang told the Vietnam Coast Guard on Tuesday, amid the country’s faceoff with China over a Chinese oil rig illegally planted in Vietnamese waters.

>> Vietnam should prepare for all scenarios in China oil spat: Party chief>> Vietnam premier urges greater efforts to protect national sovereignty >> National sovereignty is sacred and inviolable: Vietnam President >> Vietnam's legislature denounces China’s violation of sovereignty

The president made the statement during a teleconference with Vietnam Coast Guard units on duty in the Vietnamese waters, near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago. China has illegitimately placed its Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling rig there since May 1 despite strong protests from Vietnam.

At the online talk, which was held at the headquarters of the High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard in Hanoi, the on-duty Coast Guard units reported to the president about the latest developments in the East Vietnam Sea.

The president was very touched to hear many Coast Guard officers affirm their determination to protect the fatherland’s sovereignty in spite of all difficulties and sacrifices.

He emphasized that China, by planting the rig in the Vietnamese waters, has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and the duty of the Vietnam Coast Guard may be heavier in the coming time, as the East Vietnam Sea rift could become more complex.

Major General Nguyen Quang Dam, Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard, reported to the president that Chinese vessels guarding the rig have continuously rammed or fired their water cannons at Vietnamese ships when they were requested by the Vietnamese side to leave the waters.

Such attacks have injured a dozen Vietnamese fisheries surveillance officers and damaged many ships of the force and the Vietnam Coast Guard as well as fishing boats of Vietnamese fishermen, Major General Dam said.  Cruel action

Notably, a Chinese vessel hit and sank a fishing boat of central Da Nang City, DNa-90152, with 10 crew members on board on May 26, the commander said. After the inhumane attack, the Chinese vessel left the scene, leaving behind the sunken ship and all the fishermen who drifted at sea before being saved by other Vietnamese fishermen, he added.

President Sang said the attacked fishermen can take legal action against China for compensation, as competent agencies have collected enough evidence of the assault.

“In coming days I will come to Da Nang and will directly consider this issue,” he promised.

The head of state stressed such cruel assault is unacceptable and the civilized world has no room for that inhumanity. 

“The sea around Hoang Sa [Paracels] and Truong Sa [Spratlys] is the long-standing fishing ground of Vietnamese fishermen. It is cruel to use powerful ships to attack people who had nothing in hand to protect themselves,” the president said.

Not to give way

“It is unacceptable for those who use large ships and big guns to suppress others. Vietnamese people will absolutely never yield to them. We Vietnamese want to co-exist in peace with other nations on the basis of equality and mutual respect and benefit.”   

Given China’s aggressive and provocative moves, Vietnam has restrained itself for the sake of peace, stability and maritime safety and security in the East Vietnam Sea, President Sang said, adding “we just restrain ourselves but we are not feeble.” The leader urged the Vietnamese marine law enforcement forces to continue their communication activities to make the Chinese side understand its wrongful acts, while making clear Vietnamese people’s justice and tolerance. The Party and State will continue creating favorable conditions, including necessary and modern equipment, for the law enforcement forces to fulfill their tasks, the president pledged.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Tuoitrenews

More

Read more

;

Photos

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta celebrates spring with ‘hat boi’ performances

The art form is so popular that it attracts people from all ages in the Mekong Delta

Vietnamese youngster travels back in time with clay miniatures

Each work is a scene caught by Dung and kept in his memories through his journeys across Vietnam

Latest news