Vietnamese Fishermen Describe ‘Harsh Beating’ by Chinese Forces
A Vietnamese fishing boat captain has recounted a harrowing incident where Chinese law enforcement officials allegedly attacked his unarmed crew with metal rods last month in a violent confrontation in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Vietnamese foreign ministry has expressed strong disapproval to China over the reported “brutal treatment” of the fishermen in the waters near the Paracel Islands on 29th September.
All 10 crew members of the fishing vessel sustained injuries during the altercation, with five of them being seriously harmed, according to Captain Nguyen Thanh Bien. Additionally, the Chinese authorities seized the crew’s fishing gear and four tons of their catch, as reported by Vietnamese state media.
In response, the Chinese foreign ministry refuted claims of any injuries, stating that the Vietnamese boat was engaged in illegal fishing activities in the Paracel Islands waters. The Paracel Islands, also known as the Xisha Islands in China, are a group of more than 30 islands situated between the coasts of Vietnam and China in the South China Sea. While China exercises control over the Paracel Islands, Vietnam and Taiwan also lay claim to the territory.
The confrontation unfolded when a Chinese vessel pursued the Vietnamese boat while another obstructed its escape near the Hoang Sa archipelago, referred to as the Paracel Islands by Vietnam. Approximately 40 Chinese officials boarded the fishing boat at around 9 am on 29th September and subjected the crew to a violent assault, as recounted by one of the fishermen, Huynh Tien Cong, aged 47. The crew members endured beatings with metal sticks during the four-hour ordeal.
Captain Bien revealed that he lost consciousness due to the severity of the attack, emphasizing the unprecedented level of aggression displayed by the Chinese forces. The crew members are currently recuperating from their injuries, with the financial loss from confiscated equipment and catch estimated at VND310m ($12,523).
Vietnam’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Pham Thu Hang, condemned the incident, expressing deep concern and indignation over the mistreatment of Vietnamese fishermen by Chinese law enforcement in the Hoang Sa archipelago. The ASEAN summit in Laos is expected to address tensions in the South China Sea, amidst other regional concerns, underscoring the need for diplomatic resolutions to maritime disputes and ensuring the safety of fishermen in the region.