Vietnam's allegation China send warships to guard oil rig 'inaccurate'

Vietnam's allegation that China has sent six warships to guard the 981 oil rig is inaccurate, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.

Hua said at a routine press briefing that due to Vietnam's continuous, forceful and illegal disruptions, China has sent government vessels to the 981 oil rig operation site for security, instead of warships for military support.

Relevant operations by China are normal activities in the contiguous area of China's Xisha Islands, Hua stressed, noting it is totally unjustifiable for the Vietnamese side to send large amounts of vessels, including armed ones to continuously, forcefully and illegally disrupt China's normal operations.

To make matters worse, the Vietnamese side also condoned beating, smashing, looting and arson conducted by a few Vietnamese against companies and personnel of China and other countries, causing great property losses and casualties to China, Hua said, adding the Vietnamese side is yet to give an explanation to China.

She urged the Vietnamese side to immediately stop all the disruptive and destructive activities at the site, pull out all its vessels and personnel and stop all forms of infringement upon China's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

As for how long the drilling activity will last, the spokesperson said notice issued by relevant Chinese authorities has made it clear. Exploration by the Chinese company in relevant waters has lasted for 10 years, she said, adding the drilling operation which started on May 2 is expected to last until mid-August.