May 14: China dispatches 17,000-ton amphibious transport ship to protect drilling rig

This amphibious transport ship is equipped with 1/8 anti-aircraft missile launcher, 1 76mm gun mount, 2/4 30mm cannon mounts.

According to the latest information provided by the Vietnam Coast Guard, as of 2:50 p.m., the number of Chinese military ships in the field included: military ships (2 missile frigates, 2 landing transport ships 998, 999 (landing transport ships with a displacement of 17,000 tons, equipped with 1/8 anti-aircraft missile launcher, 1 76mm gun mount, 2/4 30mm guns); forces protecting the Haiyang 981 drilling rig were basically the same as on May 13.

Notably, at the scene, the number of Chinese iron-hulled fishing boats (displacement of 100 - 150 tons) increased from 15 to 40.

China used 3 ships to surround Vietnamese ship CSB 4032 on May 13. Source: Vietnam Coast Guard.

The Chinese oil rig escort force is still divided into protective lines. When the Vietnamese Coast Guard ships approach, the Chinese ships simultaneously block them, ready to ram our ships.

From 8:27 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Chinese iron-hulled fishing boats regularly followed, prevented, and chased away Vietnamese fishing boats from fishing in an area 7-10 nautical miles from the Haiyang 981 drilling rig.

Ships of the Vietnam Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance continuously maneuvered to approach the rig from the West-Northwest to propagate and affirm sovereignty, demanding that the Haiyang 981 rig and Chinese protection ships leave Vietnam's waters.

When approaching 6-7 nautical miles from the rig, our ships were closely followed, blocked, and actively rammed by Chinese Coast Guard ships. Accordingly, 4 Chinese Coast Guard ships with numbers 45014, 3411, 46102, 2112 approached the closest 100m to Vietnamese ship CSB 8003. Chinese Coast Guard ship 46102 proactively rammed directly into the right side of Vietnamese ship CSB 2016. Because ship CSB 2016 proactively stopped and reversed its engine in time, the Chinese Coast Guard ship rushed past the bow of our ship at a distance of 5m.

Our Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance ships maneuvered and evaded in time to ensure safety.

Vietnamese fishing boats fishing in the area of ​​the drilling rig are often obstructed and chased away by Chinese iron-hulled fishing boats, but the Vietnamese fishing boats still steadfastly hold their ground. At the same time, Vietnamese Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance ships regularly follow closely and support to ensure the safety of fishermen's fishing boats.

According to Hanoi Moi Online