Vietnam accuses China of sinking fishing boat in disputed waters
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This file photo taken on May 5, 2016 shows crew members of China’s South Sea Fleet taking part in a drill in the Xisha Islands. ©AFP
Vietnam has accused China of sinking a fishing boat in the disputed South China Sea as an international court is due to issue a ruling in the territorial row between Beijing and Manila.
According to Press TV, the Vietnam Fisheries Society (Vinafis) said in a Tuesday statement that two Chinese coastguard ships pursued a pair of Vietnamese boats on Saturday afternoon off Quang Ngai Province of Vietnam.
“Chinese men jumped onto fisherman Vo Van Luu's boat, struck the Vietnamese sailors and... sunk the vessel,” Vinafis said in the statement, adding the five crew members were forced overboard.
The statement further said the second boat was banned from reaching the stranded fishermen.
The five Vietnamese men remained in the sea till dark when the second ship was able to draw near to the area.
Vinafis also denounced the incident, calling for compensation from China.
Beijing has yet to comment on the allegations.
China and Vietnam are locked in a longstanding territorial dispute in the South China Sea over Paracels islands – known as Xisha Islands in China – and waters in the South China Sea claimed by both countries.
Beijing has long-standing disputes over maritime territory in the energy-rich, strategic waters of the South China Sea with regional states Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan.
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