Chinese Government Vessels Identified in Brutal Attack on Vietnamese Fishermen in the South China Sea
Two Chinese government ships, the Sansha Zhifa 101 and Sansha Zhifa 301, have been identified as the perpetrators of a brutal attack on Vietnamese fishermen at the Paracel Islands (known as Hoang Sa in Vietnam) on September 29.
According to Vietnamese media reports, the incident occurred on September 29 and involved two ships with hull numbers 301 and 101. These vessels deployed three rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) to chase the Vietnamese fishing boat QNg 95739 TS. At approximately 10:00 AM, the three RHIBs surrounded the fishing boat, and their personnel boarded it.
Tracking of Sansha Zhifa 301 on September 29.
Captain Nguyen Thanh Bien of the Vietnamese fishing boat QNg 95739 TS provided a harrowing account to VTC News: "About 40 people wearing camouflage and armed with iron bars boarded our vessel and began assaulting the crew. I tried to run toward the bow, but two individuals restrained me and beat me until I lost consciousness."
Another crew member, Huynh Tien Cong, added further details: "After beating us, they forced us to the bow of the ship, making us hold our heads with our hands and bow. I was beaten so severely that my arms and legs were broken." Cong also reported that most of the ship's equipment was destroyed during the attack.
Sansha Zhifa 101.
Ship tracking data reviewed by Geoint.asia confirms the presence of the Sansha Zhifa 101 and Sansha Zhifa 301 in the area on the morning of September 29. They are part of the Sansha City Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau's fleet.
The 101, commissioned in July 2022, is 102 meters long with a 1,000-ton displacement, while the larger 301, entering service this year, measures 133 meters and displaces 3,000 tons. The matching hull numbers, location, and reported aggressive behaviors strongly indicate these were the vessels involved in the attack.
Sansha Zhifa 301.
Tracking of Sansha Zhifa 301 on September 29.
Captain Nguyen Thanh Bien of the Vietnamese fishing boat QNg 95739 TS provided a harrowing account to VTC News: "About 40 people wearing camouflage and armed with iron bars boarded our vessel and began assaulting the crew. I tried to run toward the bow, but two individuals restrained me and beat me until I lost consciousness."
Another crew member, Huynh Tien Cong, added further details: "After beating us, they forced us to the bow of the ship, making us hold our heads with our hands and bow. I was beaten so severely that my arms and legs were broken." Cong also reported that most of the ship's equipment was destroyed during the attack.
Sansha Zhifa 101.
Ship tracking data reviewed by Geoint.asia confirms the presence of the Sansha Zhifa 101 and Sansha Zhifa 301 in the area on the morning of September 29. They are part of the Sansha City Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau's fleet.
The 101, commissioned in July 2022, is 102 meters long with a 1,000-ton displacement, while the larger 301, entering service this year, measures 133 meters and displaces 3,000 tons. The matching hull numbers, location, and reported aggressive behaviors strongly indicate these were the vessels involved in the attack.
Sansha Zhifa 301.
