Vietnam accuses China of firing on fishing boat

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam says a Chinese vessel fired on a Vietnamese fishing boat in the disputed South China Sea and set its cabin alight.

A government statement late Monday didn't mention any injuries as a result of the "very serious incident" last Wednesday.

The statement says the fishing boat was near the Paracel islands when it was chased and shot at by an unidentified Chinese vessel.

It said a formal complaint had been lodged at the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi.

Vietnam and China both claim the Paracels, which were occupied by China shortly before the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Fears of possible conflict in the waters have been rising because of China's economic and military growth.