Vietnam urges China to free detained fishermen in South China Sea

HANOI, Vietnam - Vietnam has protested against China's alleged detention of its fishermen and fishing vessels in the contested Paracel Islands in the busy South China Sea, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Vietnam urged China to "immediately release the fishermen and fishing vessels that were illegally detained", the spokesperson told a regular press conference, without saying how many had been held or when.

In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesperson urged Vietnam on Friday to beef up the "education and management" of its fishermen, to ensure they keep out of waters claimed by China. — Reuters