On the evening of August 31, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang answered a reporter's question asking for a response to the news that a Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked while operating in the waters of Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago.

The spokesman said that Vietnamese authorities are urgently clarifying the incident.

Fishing boat QNg 90495 TS docks at Tinh Ky port, Quang Ngai city. Photo: VNA

As has been repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago in accordance with international law, as well as its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over maritime zones established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"Vietnam opposes all acts of using force against Vietnamese fishing vessels operating normally at sea, threatening the lives and safety as well as causing damage to the property and interests of fishermen, contrary to international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," said Ms. Hang.

According to VNA, on the evening of August 29, fishermen on a fishing boat in Quang Ngai reported to authorities that they were attacked by a foreign ship, injuring two fishermen and damaging property.

Fishing boat QNg 90495 TS is owned by Mr. Huynh Van Hoanh (43 years old), residing in Binh Chau commune, Binh Son district. The boat has just returned to Sa Ky port, Quang Ngai province.

vietnamnet.vn