Vietnam closely follows HD-981 drilling rig, proactively responds to situations

Vietnamese authorities are closely monitoring the operation of this rig and are ready to take countermeasures.

On the afternoon of May 14 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference. At this press conference, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh announced Vietnam's upcoming foreign affairs activities and answered questions of public concern.

China's Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig (Photo: AP)

Responding to a reporter's question about the recent information posted on the website of the China Maritime Safety Administration that the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig has been towed into the East Sea and will operate there from May 6 to 16. Information from this website also requires passing ships to stay at least 2km away from this drilling rig, Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh said:

“As far as we know, the representative of the Vietnam Coast Guard has responded to the press very fully on this issue.”

“On May 13, Mr. Ngo Ngoc Thu, representative of the Vietnam Coast Guard, made a very clear statement about this issue, emphasizing that Vietnamese authorities are closely monitoring and preparing to respond to situations that may occur at sea,” Mr. Le Hai Binh added.

Previously, information posted on the website of the China Maritime Safety Administration said that the Haiyang Shiyou-981 rig was deployed from May 6 to 16 at the Lingshui 25-1S-1 well at coordinates 17°03′44″.5 degrees North, 109°59′02″.7 degrees East in the East Sea.

This operating location is about 75 nautical miles southeast of Sanya city, Hainan province, China./.

According to VOV