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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| China denies starting fire on Vietnamese fishing boat | China denies starting fire on Vietnamese fishing boat |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| China has admitted firing flares at a Vietnamese fishing boat but denied the vessel caught fire as a result during a confrontation in disputed waters of the South China Sea. | China has admitted firing flares at a Vietnamese fishing boat but denied the vessel caught fire as a result during a confrontation in disputed waters of the South China Sea. |
| Sailors on board a Chinese navy craft fired two flares at four Vietnamese boats that had earlier failed to respond to whistles, shouts and signal flags demanding that they cease fishing and leave the area, which China claims as its territorial waters, the defence ministry in Beijing said in a statement. It said the ships were fishing off the Paracel Islands, which China regards as its own, on 20 March and both flares burned out in the air. Chinese forces did not fire weapons and no Vietnamese boats caught fire, the ministry said. | Sailors on board a Chinese navy craft fired two flares at four Vietnamese boats that had earlier failed to respond to whistles, shouts and signal flags demanding that they cease fishing and leave the area, which China claims as its territorial waters, the defence ministry in Beijing said in a statement. It said the ships were fishing off the Paracel Islands, which China regards as its own, on 20 March and both flares burned out in the air. Chinese forces did not fire weapons and no Vietnamese boats caught fire, the ministry said. |
| Vietnam also claims the Paracels and has said one of the boat's cabins caught fire in the incident, which it called "very serious". The government lodged a formal complaint with the Chinese embassy in Hanoi seeking compensation for the alleged damage and punishment of the Chinese sailors responsible. | Vietnam also claims the Paracels and has said one of the boat's cabins caught fire in the incident, which it called "very serious". The government lodged a formal complaint with the Chinese embassy in Hanoi seeking compensation for the alleged damage and punishment of the Chinese sailors responsible. |
| Vietnam says the fishing boat was near the Paracels when an unidentified Chinese vessel chased it and fired the flare. China's navy responded that this was a "complete fabrication". | Vietnam says the fishing boat was near the Paracels when an unidentified Chinese vessel chased it and fired the flare. China's navy responded that this was a "complete fabrication". |
| Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Tuesday that China had taken unspecified but "legitimate and reasonable" actions against Vietnamese boats working illegally in Chinese waters. He denied that any boats had been damaged. | Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Tuesday that China had taken unspecified but "legitimate and reasonable" actions against Vietnamese boats working illegally in Chinese waters. He denied that any boats had been damaged. |
| Vietnam and China each claim large parts of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also maintain that parts of the sea are theirs. | Vietnam and China each claim large parts of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also maintain that parts of the sea are theirs. |
| Meanwhile China says its navy visited its southernmost territorial claim during military drills in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. | Meanwhile China says its navy visited its southernmost territorial claim during military drills in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. |
| The visit to James Shoal followed exercises that began on Saturday marking a high-profile show of China's determination to stake its claim to territory in the area. | The visit to James Shoal followed exercises that began on Saturday marking a high-profile show of China's determination to stake its claim to territory in the area. |
| The official People's Daily online said on Wednesday that one destroyer, two frigates and an amphibious landing ship took part in the drills around Chinese-controlled outcroppings. They involved hovercraft, ship-borne helicopters, amphibious tanks and land-based fighters and bombers, and were followed by a ceremonial visit on Tuesday to James Shoal farther south. | The official People's Daily online said on Wednesday that one destroyer, two frigates and an amphibious landing ship took part in the drills around Chinese-controlled outcroppings. They involved hovercraft, ship-borne helicopters, amphibious tanks and land-based fighters and bombers, and were followed by a ceremonial visit on Tuesday to James Shoal farther south. |
| The area is surrounded by shipping lanes and rich fishing grounds claimed in whole or in part by neighbouring countries. | The area is surrounded by shipping lanes and rich fishing grounds claimed in whole or in part by neighbouring countries. |
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