The World - News from March 31, 1988

A March 14 attack by Chinese warships on Vietnamese freighters in the Spratly Islands left three dead, 21 wounded and 74 missing, Radio Vietnam reported. Hanoi charged that six Chinese warships set ablaze three Vietnamese freighters, sinking two of them. The Chinese vessels then fired mortar rounds in front of lifeboats flying Red Cross flags that attempted to rescue those in the sea, Hanoi said. The Beijing government has said that some of its troops were wounded in the fighting. Both countries have accused the other of starting the incident. The Spratlys, with possibly significant oil deposits, are claimed by both China and Vietnam.