BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Argentina’s coast guard has sunk a Chinese trawler that was fishing illegally within its territorial waters, the coast guard said yesterday, marking a first test for relations between President Mauricio Macri and Beijing.
In a high-seas chase, a coast guard vessel on Monday pursued the fishing vessel Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 toward international waters, firing warning shots across the Chinese boat’s bow as it attempted to raise the crew by radio.
“On several occasions, the offending ship performed maneuvers designed to force a collision with the coast guard, putting at risk not only its own crew but coast guard personnel, who were then ordered to shoot parts of the vessel,” the coast guard said in a statement.
It was not clear if the vessel sank on Monday or yesterday.
Macri’s centre-right government, which took office in December, will likely be keen to avoid a diplomatic ruckus with the Asian powerhouse which has gained a strong foothold in South America, traditionally the United States’ back yard.
