Chinese ship Hua Xiang 801 was allegedly illictly fishing off Argentina's southern Atlantic coast early Saturday morning prompting the coast guard to 'open fire'.

Argentina’s Coast Guard opened fire on a Chinese ship crew that was allegedly illegally fishing off its coastal waters early Saturday morning failing to heed warnings to stop.

Video filmed from the coast guard ship shows the Chinese ship Hua Xiang 801 coming close to the coast guard vessel in the choppy South Atlantic waters off Chabut province in Argentina.

“Hua Xiang 801: preparing to open fire on you. You are responsible for your ship and your crew … Open fire!,” warned an Argentine sargeant to the Chinese vessel as audio indicates that the coast guard then fired several rounds on the Asian-based ship.

Noticias Argentina, which posted the video says that the violent encounter came after three hours of the coast guard trying to capture Hua Xiang 180 which then tried to collide with the Argentine state craft.

After being shot at the Chinese ship quickly changed course and escaped. Argentine officials issued an international arrest warrant against the Chinese crew.

Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich approved the use of arsenal against the Chinese ship, according to Noticias Argentina because the coast guard crew “was put at risk.”