Vietnam claims the rig 's presence is `` illegal '' while China says it has every right to drill , and has castigated the Vietnamese government for failing to ensure the safety of its nationals . China expelled thousands of nationals from Vietnam amid territorial disputes . Protests erupted after China 's state oil company sent a ship to disputed territory . Vietnam says the rig site is on its continental shelf and within its Exclusive Economic Zone . China says the rig will be there until mid - August , has sent ships to guard the site .
China expelled thousands of nationals from Vietnam amid territorial disputes . Protests erupted after China 's state oil company sent a ship to disputed territory . Vietnam says the rig site is on its continental shelf and within its Exclusive Economic Zone . China says the rig will be there until mid - August , has sent ships to guard the site .