The Vietnam Garment and Textile Group and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) chapter in the northern province of Hoa Binh have handed over 4 billion VND (188,000 USD) to the VFF Central Committee to assist offshore fishermen in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

Addressing a ceremony in Hanoi on June 13, President of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan hailed the support of the donors and said the assistance will help ease difficulties for fishermen in continuing their operation in Vietnam’s waters, contributing to the protection of the national sovereignty over sea and islands and Hoang Sa in particular.

He reiterated that China has illegally positioned its drilling rig in Vietnam ’s waters and conducted many provocative actions, seriously damaging the property of law enforcement authorities and fishermen.

He said he hopes individuals and organisations nationwide will continue standing side-by-side with fisheries surveillance and coast guard forces and fishermen in safeguarding the country’s sacred sovereignty over sea and islands.-VNA