HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese authorities reported on Sunday that several fishermen were seriously injured after their vessel was attacked by Chinese government ships in the South China Sea, a region fraught with territorial disputes. The incident occurred near the Paracel Islands, a contentious area claimed by both Vietnam and China, though controlled by China since a military conflict in 1974.
The assault on the Vietnamese fishing boat is the latest flare-up in the ongoing territorial disagreements over the South China Sea, where China’s expansive maritime claims often clash with those of its neighbors. The Chinese “nine-dash line” encompasses the majority of the sea, leading to recurrent confrontations, particularly with the Philippines and Vietnam.
Local official Pung Ba Vuong reported that the Vietnamese boat, operating legally within the proximity of the Paracel Islands, was intercepted by Chinese vessels. Subsequently, it was boarded and the fishermen were attacked, sustaining serious injuries including broken limbs.
The Vietnamese fishing boat, identified by its hull number QNg 95739 TS, was surrounded by three inflatable boats deployed from the Chinese ships, tagged with the hull numbers 101 and 301. These vessels, part of the Sansha City Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau in Hainan Province, reportedly initiated the aggressive maneuver around 10 a.m.
According to Nguyen Than Bien, the 40-year-old captain of the Vietnamese vessel, approximately 40 individuals from the Chinese ships swarmed his boat and physically assaulted the crew with metal bars. Nguyen recounted the harrowing incident, noting that he was struck unconscious during the attack.
A fisherman named Huynh Tien Cong described being forced to bow at the ship’s bow under duress, subsequent to being beaten. “The attackers not only inflicted physical injuries but also destroyed essential navigational equipment and seized approximately six tons of our catch,” Cong explained.
Vietnam-based security analyst Duan Dang expressed concerns about the frequency of such incidents. Using data from his tracking platform GEOINT.asia, Dang confirmed the presence of the Chinese ships in the area following the attack. “Attacks of this nature are an annual occurrence and pose significant risks to the livelihoods of local fishermen,” Dang said.
The Chinese government has often described its actions in the South China Sea as restrained measures against illegal fishing activities. A spokesperson asserted that their forces act professionally and deny any injuries during such interceptions.
This incident adds tension to the already complicated relationship between Hanoi and Beijing, which sees occasional diplomatic protests over maritime disputes. The aggressions in the South China Sea underscore a broader regional conflict over resources and sovereignty, affecting multiple countries bordering this critical body of water.