Vietnam reports 'brutal' Chinese attack on its fishing vessel
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Vietnam has accused Chinese law enforcement of a "brutal" attack on a Vietnamese fishing vessel on Sunday in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, claiming the lives of crew members were put at risk, citing Bloomberg.
According to the Vietnamese state newspaper Tien Phong, the alleged attack left 10 crew members injured, three of whom suffered fractures.
Without directly referring to the incident, China's Foreign Ministry reported on Tuesday that Vietnamese vessels were illegally fishing in the waters of the Paracel Islands without China’s permission, and Chinese authorities took measures to stop them.
Tien Phong further reported that the Chinese authorities seized around four tons of seafood, damaged, and confiscated equipment from the vessel. The losses are estimated at $20,220.
"Vietnam is extremely concerned, indignant and resolutely opposes the brutal behavior of Chinese law enforcement forces against Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessels operating in the Paracel archipelago of Vietnam," said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.
Vietnam lodged a protest over the incident during talks with the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi. The ministry demands "China to fully respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracel archipelago, promptly investigate and notify Vietnam on the results, and do not repeat similar actions."
Vietnam has long-standing territorial disputes in the South China Sea with China, which claims most of the region as its own territory.
Conflicts in South China Sea involving China
Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea and regularly engages in confrontations, particularly with the Philippines, over areas like the Second Thomas Shoal.
In July, China and the Philippines reached an agreement, which they hope will end the ongoing confrontations.
However, on August 19, Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided again in the South China Sea, marking another flashpoint in their ongoing maritime dispute.
The Philippine authorities are exploring the possibility of expanding the scope of the agreement with China.
