Vietnam protests all coercion against its vessels

 Vietnam vehemently opposes the use of or threat to use force against its boats and vessels, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh.

He made the statement on November 17 in response to the media question about Vietnam’s reaction to reports that some Chinese coast guard and military ships surrounded and threatened to use force against the ship Hai Dang 05 of Vietnam. 

Domestic relevant agencies are verifying the location where the incident took place and several related issues so as to take diplomatic measures, Binh said.

The diplomat stressed the country's consistent stance of resolutely protesting against all actions that use or threaten to use force against Vietnamese boats and vessels. 

“These actions infringe international law, go against the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), seriously menace peace and stability in the region, and are completely unacceptable and unjustifiable,” he added.

VOV