Vietnam's coast guard has two new ships to bolster its patrols of the East Sea.
Vietnam coast guard ship 9004
Colonel Ha Son Hai, director of Song Thu Corp, said the 46m 2,200 tonne ships, capable of operating in winds of more than 100km per hour, are earmarked for search and rescue, and territorial patrol, and have the latest surveillance equipment.
Tension is rising in the East Sea as China presses its claim over disputed islands.
Coast guard receives ship 8002
Le Quang Thich, vice chairman of Quang Ngai Province, said in June that 23 local fishing boats were attacked by Chinese vessels over the past six months and there was a rise in intrusions into Vietnam's territorial waters by China's coastguard and fishing boats.
A fisherman said on June 10 that four Chinese ships surrounded boats near Hoang Sa Island. Six people boarded their boat and stole their catch and equipment. Another fisherman in Quang Ngai said they were chased and fired on by a water cannon.
