(MOFA) - On 3 April 2020, responding to reporters’ queries on the incident involving the Vietnamese fishing boat QNg 90617 TS and its eight fishermen around Phú Lâm (Woody) Island of the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands of Viet Nam, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

According to information from Vietnamese relevant agencies, Vietnamese fishing boat No. QNg 90617 TS with eight Vietnamese fishermen on board while carrying out normal fishing activities in the waters of the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands of Viet Nam was hindered, rammed and sunk by a Chinese Coastguard vessel.

As have been stated on various occasions, Viet Nam has ample historical evidence and legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands in accordance with the international law. The above-mentioned Chinese vessel’s act violates Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Paracel Islands, causes property losses and endangers the lives, safety and legitimate interests of the Vietnamese fishermen. It also runs counter to the common understandings reached between high-level leaders of the two countries on the humane treatment of fishermen and the Viet Nam - China Agreement on the Basic Principles guiding the Settlement of Sea Issues, contravenes the spirit of the Declaration of Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), complicates the situation and is not conducive to the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea (South China Sea).

On 3 April 2020, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a presentation to and lodged a diplomatic note of protest with a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Ha Noi, requesting the Chinese side to investigate the incident, strictly discipline the officers aboard the Chinese vessel afore-mentioned, prevent the recurrence of similar actions, and make adequate compensation for the losses of the Vietnamese fishermen.

According to information from the Vietnamese relevant agencies, as of 3 April 2020, eight Vietnamese fishermen aboard the QNg 90617 TS have safely returned.