Hanoi - Two Vietnamese fishing boats have been captured by
the Chinese navy in waters near the disputed Spratly Islands and the
28 crew members are being held until their families raise money to
pay a fine, Vietnamese authorities said Thursday.
Chinese authorities on Hainan are requiring proof of transfer of
payment for 120,000 yuan (about 16,000 dollars) before releasing the
fishermen and their boats, according to Nguyen Cong Danh, police
chief of Ly Son island, off central Vietnam's Quang Ngai province.
The two boats were captured on August 21 just north of the Spratly
Islands, which are claimed by both Vietnam and China, as well as the
Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan.
The fishermen were allowed to contact their families by radio on
August 25 to say they would be released if the families transferred
the payment, according to Le Van Phu, Ly Son's deputy police chief.
'They said the Chinese navy told them they had violated Chinese
waters and would have to pay a fine,' Phu said.
He added that the families were working to raise the money for
payment, even though Vietnam officially doesn't recognize Chinese
authority in the Spratlys.
Vietnamese fishermen from Ly Son island are accustomed to the
dangers of fishing around the Spratlys, which are occasionally
patrolled by the Chinese and the Vietnamese navies.
'In first six months of 2007, five other ships with 60 fishermen
have been seized by the Chinese and then returned,' Phu said
In addition, Vietnam made a formal protest in July after the
Chinese military fired on two Vietnamese fishing vessels, reportedly
killing two.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
USA
Your Talkback on this Story