A Vietnamese fishing boat was reportedly attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, an area claimed by both China and Vietnam, resulting in injuries to 10 crew members, according to Vietnamese state media.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the boat communicated via radio, stating that three fishermen suffered broken limbs, while seven others sustained various injuries. Local officials from Binh Chau commune in Quang Ngai province confirmed the report to Tien Phong newspaper.
Details about the assailant vessel remain unclear, as officials have not provided further information. Vietnam’s border guard is currently investigating the incident.
The Paracel Islands, located approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Vietnam’s eastern coast, are also claimed by Taiwan. The area has been a point of contention, with China asserting ownership over nearly all of the strategically significant South China Sea, leading to disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
China has been increasingly aggressive in enforcing its territorial claims, resulting in confrontations with Vietnam and the Philippines. While the United States does not claim territory in the South China Sea, it maintains a presence through Navy and Air Force operations to uphold freedom of navigation in this critical global trade route, which sees about $5 trillion in trade each year.
Tensions escalated last year when China threatened “serious consequences” after a U.S. Navy destroyer conducted a freedom of navigation operation around the Paracel Islands, challenging what Beijing describes as “excessive maritime claims.”
Since taking control of the Paracel Islands in 1974 after a brief naval conflict with Vietnam, China has developed infrastructure in the area, including an airstrip on Triton Island, which is believed to be aimed at enhancing global navigation safety despite accusations of militarization.
