China Expels Vietnamese Fishing Boats Seeking Shelter in Disputed Hoang Sa

The body of a Vietnamese fisherman killed by Chinese authorities while working near disputed Hoang Sa

by Vu Quoc Ngu, August 16, 2016

China’s authorities have refused to allow six Vietnamese fishing boats to anchor near a reef in disputed Hoang Sa (Paracels) in the East Sea (South China Sea) while the Vietnamese fishermen were trying to find shelter from extreme weather, state media has reported.

The six fishing boats from Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam with 259 crew on board had encountered rough seas and big waves on the morning of Aug 12 in waters 40 nautical miles from Hoang Sa which is illegally occupied by China and had asked to take refuge in Bombay Reef, newspaper reported, quoting statements from Vietnam’s National Committee for Search and Rescue.

Following a request from the committee, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the Chinese side to ask for the boats to anchor in Bombay Reef. However, the Chinese authorities had turned down the request, claiming that Bombay Reef was an unsuitable place for the boats to anchor.

The six fishing boats were anchored around five nautical miles southeast of the reef, and had been asked to be in touch with Vietnamese authorities on the mainland and prepare for any eventuality.

In 1974, China invaded Hoang Sa which was under control of the Saigon regime. Since then, China has built numerous civil and military facilities on the archipelago.

In the past few years, China has attacked Vietnamese fishermen while they were working in their traditional fishing ground near Hoang Sa. A number of Vietnamese fishermen have been killed or tortured by China’s armed forces.

Vietnam has never relinquished its ownership of Hoang Sa.