(VOVworld) – Vietnamese fishermen in the central region strongly denounced the illegal operation of the drilling rig HD-981 by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation at a location 120 nautical miles from Vietnam’s coast.

China's drilling rig HD-981 in the East Sea, May 2012 (photo: xinhuanews agency)

The location is totally within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Fisherman Pham Van Thach from Quang Ngai province said on Monday: "My ship travels from Ly Son to Truong Sa and passes China’s drilling rig. This is our national sea and we work in the area every day. The drilling is illegal and has violated Vietnam’s sovereignty."
Nguyen Dinh Van from Quang Ngai says: "The drilling rig is near Ly Son island in Vietnam’s seaways. It’s completely unacceptable. We fishermen strongly oppose the operation."
Vietnamese fishermen in the central provinces insist on working in Vietnam’s seas around the Hoang Sa archipelagos.