Lieutenant General Mai Xuan Vinh, former head of Vietnam People's Navy said, "Vietnam doesn't habour any false belief that China wants to solve the problem at the moment, unless they announce to end all exploiting activities and remove the oil rig. Other means of provocation are continue."
Lieutenant General Mai Xuan Vinh
Vinh went on to say that China may be plotting new schemes as the storm season approaches, will greatly affect the weather on the seas. "We've never deliberately started any conflict with China, but we must be ready to respond to China's provocations. If China wants to crash into our ships, they will just provide us and the world more evidences about their brutality." he said.
Rear Admiral Le Ke Lam said the latest developments only confirm China's expansionist ambitions. China is trying to "create a situation on the ground" by sending many fishing ships into the area to fight with Vietnamese ships, and claim that Vietnam is the one violating territorial boundaries.
Lam agreed that fishermen must continue to use their traditional fishing areas to protect their rights and Vietnam's sovereignty. All fishing activities should be organised wisely to boost fishermen's spirits in the face of China's brutal actions.
"China is provoking us into using our armed forces. This is a trap they have set over the past month. They are sending out more military ships to intensify the provocations," Lam said. According to Lam, China wants to create a series of armed conflicts. This may be their long-term strategy in gaining control over the East Sea."
