Argentina's version of the Coast Guard sank a Chinese vessel that was reportedly fishing in a restricted area off the country's coast on Monday.
The country's Naval Prefecture sank the Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 fishing vessel after chasing it in
Argentine waters, CNN reported. Argentine authorities said the Chinese vessel turned off its lights and deliberately tried to ram it after the Naval Prefecture fired
warning shots, according to an agency statement.
Officials said the Chinese boat was intercepted Monday off the coast of Puerto Madryn, about 907 miles south of
Buenos Aires, according to The Associated Press.
"On distinct occasions, the offending boat realized maneuvers aimed at colliding with the coast guard, putting not only its own crew at risk, but also the personnel of the coast guard," the Naval Prefecture statement said.
Reuters reported that the crew aboard the fishing vessel abandoned ship when it started to sink, and four crewmen were picked up by Argentine authorities and the rest by another Chinese vessel in the area.
The Chinese government lodged a statement over the incident and asked for an investigation, China's foreign ministry said, according to Reuters.
"The Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassy in Argentina have already lodged emergency representations with the Argentinian side and expressed serious concern about the incident, demanding Argentina launch an immediate probe and report on the details to China," the wire agency reported.
The incident provides the first test for new Argentine President Mauricio Macri and China after relations between the two countries had improved under previous president Cristina Fernandez, according to Reuters.
A Chinese government statement said that the Chinese embassy in Argentina had "urgently taken up the matter" with Argentine authorities, CNN reported.
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