China, Vietnam Clash Over Disputed Islands

Aerial view of the city of Sansha on an island in the disputed Paracel chain, which China considers part of its territory.

Aerial view of the city of Sansha on an island in the disputed Paracel chain, which China considers part of its territory.

China is once again at odds with a maritime neighbor over disputed islands, this time as often leading to a little shooting and a lot of posturing.

The latest confrontation is with Vietnam over the mostly uninhabited Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Hanoi has accused Beijing's forces of firing on a Vietnamese vessel engaged in fishing near the islands, which both sides claim.

Vietnam did not say if anyone was hurt in the incident that occurred last Wednesday, but it described the matter as "very serious."

"Vietnam strongly protests, urging China to investigate and seriously deal with the wrongful and inhumane act, and compensate Vietnamese fishermen for their loss," Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi was quoted by the BBC as saying.

China's response: "It is necessary and legitimate for China to take action against a Vietnamese shipping boat that has entered China's waters for illegal activity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. "No damage was caused to the fishing boat from Vietnam at the time," he added, without saying what action the Chinese vessel had taken.

Both countries claim the islands, which are rich fishing grounds and also sit above undersea oil and gas fields. China and Vietnam fought a one-day naval battle over the low-lying archipelago in 1974, solidifying Beijing's control.

Besides Vietnam, China has had similar island disputes with Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia, frequently resulting in tense standoffs at sea.

More:

China, Vietnam Clash Over Disputed Islands

Related Posts
  • Water Purification Island [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Private Islands: South China Sea Style [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The Best of Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • High Cay: Bahamas [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The World: Back on the Market [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The Island Market is Back [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Haunted Halloween Island [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Ambergris Island Property [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Paradise Sinking [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Parrot Cay: Own a Piece of Privacy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • An Icky Day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • It's a Cory's! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • There she blows! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Bye bye Whale [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • No Bunting Mistake [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Whale of a time... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Leaving day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Look who's back... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Lanced... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Migrants role in... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Pups away! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Double take [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Northerly wind blows [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Northern visitors [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Siege! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storm time [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storm season [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storming over [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Sealing mission [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Still no go [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Over they go! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • All change [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Welcome back storms [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Fight club [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • V Australia to Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Tahiti Sun Travel For Sale [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Cook Islands Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Perfectly Frank – Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Cook Islands Tax Hike [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Easter Island Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Surviving Paradise [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Canada Seal Hunt ‘09 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Tuvalu Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Saudi Arabian Sojourn [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Laurent Pichot on Moorea [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The Largest Island for Sale in the World. [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Isla Kiniw: Incredible Island Rental [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Save at Sandals Resorts [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Marvelous Mediterranean: Skyropoula Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Branson Talks Necker Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Hog Island: Affordable Nova Scotia [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The Banyan Tree: Seychelles [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Celebrity Secret Vacation Spots [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Star Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • 7 Islands in 7 Days [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Counting continues [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Life goes on [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Payback time [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • No let up [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Game on [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Deal or No Deal? [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Food glorious food [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Mainland beckons... [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The tempest is coming [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Tought times ahead [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Tystie day [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Saying Goodbye...maybe [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Departure Day [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Seal pups [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Seabird Breeding Season 2009 [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Maritime Terminal Papeete Tahiti [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • A splash of colour [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
  • Tiger Woods Wife purchases Island Retreat [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2009]
  • New Flights to Fiji [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2009]
  • Five Star Fiji [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2009]
  • Go Farther in Nicaragua [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2009]
  • Zoo Island [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2009]
  • Seasons Greetings 2009 [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2009]
  • Green Ark Island [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2009]
  • Merry Christmas! [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2009]

Comments are closed.