Vietnam asks China not to obstruct fishermen’s normal fishing

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has asked China to refrain from conducting activities that hinder Vietnamese fishermen’s regular fishing activities on Vietnam’s sovereign sea waters.

Spokesman for Foreign Ministry Le Dung on June 7 said in reply to the press’ queries concerning the matter that Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son held an exchange regarding the issue with Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Sun Guoxiang on June 4.

According to the spokesman, Deputy FM Son drew the Chinese Ambassador’s attention to the fact that China has recently imposed a fishing ban on some sea areas, including the areas that fall into Vietnam’s sovereignty in the East Sea. China also intensifies sea patrols and makes arrests of and fines on fishing vessels entering these waters.

Deputy FM Son told the Chinese diplomat that these actions have been affecting normal fishing activities carried out by Vietnamese fishermen in Vietnam’s traditional fishing grounds, sparking discontent in public opinion, which does not serve the two countries’ relations.

The Deputy FM has requested the Chinese side refrain from any action that hinders normal activities conducted by Vietnamese fishermen on the sea areas under Vietnam’s sovereignty.The Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam promised to report Vietnam’s request to his government, said spokesman Le Dung.