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The incident happened around midnight on Thursday according to South China Morning Post. The Chinese coast guard released a statement late Friday outlining their version of events. Spokesman Zhang Jun said: “It rammed into our coastguard ship 4301 and sunk, all eight of the crew have been rescued.”

Mr Zhang claimed the crew was returned to Vietnamese authorities after confessing to illegally entering Chinese waters. Mr Zhang explained: “We have urged Vietnam to take measures to avoid similar incidents from happening in light of the increasingly frequent illegal fishing activities in Xisha waters.” Xisha is the Chinese world for the Paracel Islands, which it disputes with Vietnam. Taiwan also claims the islands, due to officially claiming all territory held or claimed by China.

China and Vietnam dispute an incident in the South China Sea, stock

Xi Jinping is Chinese President

Mr Zhang insisted: “China’s coastguards will also step up control in curbing these illegal activities.” Vietnam has rejected Beijing’s line on how the events unfolded. Hanoi’s foreign ministry claimed: “The Chinese vessel committed an act that violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and threatened the lives and damaged the property and legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen.” Hoang Sa is the Vietnamese name for the islands. READ MORE: South China Sea: Why disputed area could be location of MH370

Vietnamese vessels patrolling the South China Sea

Xi with then Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in 2017

A stand of between Chinese and Vietnamese coatguards

This is an attempt to strengthen claims. But it has led to concerns of overfishing. As per South China Morning Post, Beijing has had other fishing disputes in the vast waterways.

The South China Sea

In the North Natuna Sea which borders the sea, there has been incidents with Indonesian fishermen. Jakarta has attempted to play down the incidents. Critics have accused China of being the aggressor and violating Indonesia’s sovereign rights.

Chinese vessels retreated from Indonesian waters after President Widdodo intervened

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