Vietnamese competent agencies are closely following the operation of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling platform in the East Vietnam Sea, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said. The ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement at a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, in reply to questions of reporters about Vietnam’s response to the operation of the oil rig in the Lang Thuy oil well in the sea. “A representative of the Vietnam Coast Guard clearly said on May 13 that Vietnamese agencies concerned are keeping a close watch on the operation of this rig and are making preparations to cope with any incident that may occur at sea,” Binh said. In talking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, a leader of the High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard aid it has been aware of a notice issued by the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration about the operation of this platform. The Vietnamese coast guard force has known about the rig’s movements and operations, the leader added. “However, the information obtained so far showed that this oil rig, as well as some other Chinese platforms, is operating in the waters belonging to China. Therefore, the rig’s exploration or exploitation activities have not affected or violated waters under Vietnam’s sovereignty,” the leader said. If the Vietnam Coast Guard detects the rig violating Vietnamese waters, the force will take actions to protect the country’s sea sovereignty, the leader added.  On May 6, the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration informed on its website that the Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling rig would operate from May 6 to 15 in the waters positioned at  17°03'44"5 North and 109°59'02"7 East, the official said. Currently, the rig is operating at the Lang Thuy 25-1S-1 oil well in the East Vietnam Sea, 75 nautical miles southeast of Sanya City in the southern Chinese province of Hainan, he added. Last year, China illegally planted the same rig 80 miles deep into Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone from early May to July 16, despite strong protests  from Hanoi as well as the international community.

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