This is a radio conversation of a US naval ship with Chinese authorities off
the coast of Vietnam in South China Sea in October 1980.
CHINESE: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a
collision.
AMERICANS: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a
collision.
CHINESE: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south
to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS: This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR
course.
CHINESE: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.
AMERICANS: This is the Aircraft Carrier USS MIDWAY, the second largest ship in
the United States Pacific Fleet.
We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support
vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again,
that's one-five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure
the safety of this ship.
CHINESE: This is a lighthouse. You are on the course to collide with a
Vietnamese fishing boat filled with hundreds refugees!
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