According to Vietnamese authorities, on June 21, 2009, Chinese patrol forces arrested 3 fishing boats manned by 37 fishermen from Quang Ngai province of Viet Nam while they were conducting normal fishing activities in the waters of Hoang Sa archipelago of Viet Nam. This act of the Chinese side is a clear violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty and sovereign rights in the Eastern Sea. Upon receiving the information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam has on June 22, 2009 sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ha Noi requesting the Chinese side to immediately release these fishermen and their fishing boats.

 

On June 25, 2009, two fishing boats and 25 fishermen have returned safely to Viet Nam. The Vietnamese authorities are now requesting the Chinese side to release the remaining boat and fishermen and not to conduct any further acts to prevent the normal activities of Vietnamese fishermen in the waters under Viet Nam’s sovereignty.