Vietnam asks China to release its fishermen

By Anadolu staff

Vietnam on Thursday asked China to release its 10 fishermen who were arrested by the China Coast Guard from the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands, which Hanoi also claims and calls Hoang Sa, local media reported.

Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doan Khac Viet, said China should fully respect Vietnam's rights to the Hoang Sa archipelago and immediately release all illegally arrested fishing boats and fishermen, Vietnamese online newspaper VnExpress reported.

"Hoang Sa belongs to Vietnam. Vietnam has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the Hoang Sa archipelago and its surrounding waters. We have reiterated and affirmed this many times," Viet said.

Earlier this month, Vietnam accused the Chinese coast guard of detaining 10 fishermen and seizing their gear from disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The disputed Paracel Islands have been under Chinese control since 1974.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid