Russian Navy Sank Chinese Cargo Ship

According to Russian media, a Chinese cargo ship was sunk by the Russian coast guard. New Star, the Chinese cargo ship left Russian port of Nakhodka before obtaining permission from the port authority. The Russian warship fired at least 500 rounds and sank the cargo ship into the sea.

The Chinese media held the story until a Sino-Russia oil accord was signed. China will providc $25 Billion loan in exchange of privileges of importing oil from Russia in the next 25 years.

Russian media alleged smuggling goods, but later clarified the cargo ship did not carry any smuggling goods. Russia stated the firing was legal and had been authored by higher authority. However, they would investigate the accusation that Russian warship did not make any effort to rescue drowning sailors during a period of 24 hours after the cargo ship issued a distress signal and started sinking.

Hong Kong based ship owner issued a statement, revealed that the Russian port would not release the ship without a kickback. Ship owners to Russia always faces the choices of bribing the port authority, or paying $10,000 port fee for each delayed day. Some chose fled Russian ports, but this is the first case when a cargo ship was sunk by Russian warships.

Seven Chinese sailors are assumed dead.

Tianjin Fishing Boat Hijacked by Somali Pirates

A Tianjin based fishing boat was hijacked by Somali pirates last Friday. More than 100 ships had been hijacked by Somali pirates this year. The Tianyu 8 was operating near Kenya water when it was attacked by the pirates.

The small ship belongs to Tianjin Deep-Ocean Fishery Company (TDFC), specialized in catching tunas. Among 24 crews, 16 are Chinese nationals, though none are Tianjin residents. Other crew members are from Japan, Vietnam and Philippine. Tianyu 8 operates on the sea all year around, with supplied brought in and harvest taken out by other supporting ships. The ship was accompanied by a sister fishing ship Tianyu 7 operating nearby, but the armed pirates left them no chance to response. TDFC is the largest fishery company in Tianjin, made $1.2 millon profit in the year 2007.

Somali pirate ship usually disguised itself as fishing ship to approach the target. When within attacking distance, smaller boats will be released to launch the attack, often in midnight. US Navy ships were nearby to take this picture, but did not intervene.

Several countries had sent warships to the area to in the wake of the recent sudden increasing of hijackings. Although Russian, Indian and British warships managed to stop or sink a few pirate ships, the dominance force in the area the US Navy had been seen holding their guns. Several US Navy warships were hanging around in the area, but they never got involved in direct conflict with Somali pirates, which drew international skepticism on their role behind the scene. Also over last weekend, a Saudi oil super-tanker the Sirius Star carrying 2 million barrels of oil was seized by Somali pirates under US Navy's watch. The shipping insurance had increased 10 times since the beginning of the year.

Where is the PLAN Navy?