China holding 28 Vietnamese fishermen caught in Spratlys

Aug 30, 2007, 9:06 GMT

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.