Vietnam to receive Japanese coastguard ships in 2015

Vietnam is set to take delivery of coastguard vessels from Japan in early 2015, as the country attempts to boost its defences in the midst of a territorial clash with China in the South China Sea.

China and Vietnam are currently locked in territorial clashes in the South China Sea, while Japanese Prime Minister noted that Tokyo would offer its ‘utmost support’ to Southeast Asian nations in their defensive rows in the disputed waters.

Vietnam vice defence minister general Nguyen Chi Vinh was quoted by Reuters as saying that Japan was unable to immediately provide decommissioned patrol ships to Vietnam as its own coast guard was being stretched by the extended surveillance activities.

"The process is developing very well and we are planning to receive the ships by early next year," Vinh added.

Reports also revealed that several Vietnamese and Chinese patrol ships, including coast guard vessels, have been continuously moving around a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters, raising fears of an unintentional clash between both the nations.

"I have the feeling that every country, whether they publicly state it or not, realizes the wrongdoing of China and does not agree with what they are doing," Vinh said.

"I feel that other countries must raise their voices stronger, in a more public way."