In a computer-simulated battle the Vietnamese MiG-21 Fishbeds would have been no match for the two Chinese Su-27s. But computers rarely take into account human initiative and training. The Vietnamese pilot was forcing his aircraft to the limit, trying to throw off his pursuers, while, it was thought, escaping to the safety of Laotian airspace 200 kilometres due west. The Vietnamese took his MiG straight up, above the clouds. He straightened out for less than three seconds, then took the aircraft down to the predicted enemy position. On breaking cloud cover, he scanned for and found his target, quickly manoeuvring into a firing position and hitting one of the Chinese aircraft in the tail, rendering it out of control. It crashed and the pilot had no chance of survival.
But in his enthusiasm the MiG pilot had continued too close and his wingtip was damaged by debris. His aircraft went into an uncontrollable roll, and as it did so, tracer bullets struck it. The young surviving Chinese pilot kept firing short bursts from his 25mm nose gun until the MiG exploded in a fireball on the western side of the riverbank. The flames reached a petrol tanker, then in an inferno roared skywards. Vehicles all around the ferry jetty caught light. Those foreigners who had made it across in the first journey were burnt alive within seconds.
Even then, the Chinese pilot brought his aircraft around again, and opened fire with his gun, strafing the ground in short bursts until his ammunition was exhausted, before turning and heading back across the border into China. Many more vehicles burned. Petrol ignited. His act of vengeance killed 378 people. Of the 87 foreign nationals being evacuated from Haiphong, only 9 survived. One, from UNDP, videotaped the whole catastrophe. Within hours his pictures were shown on television news channels throughout the world.
The Japanese cabinet was reasonably comfortable with Japan's stockpiles of oil. The government maintained a stockpile equal to eighty days' consumption, and industry a stockpile equal to seventy-five days' consumption. With the storage facilities dotted around the coastline, Japan could hold out for quite a while. There was no immediate cause for concern. However, the hijack of the Shell New World had raised the stakes dramatically.
The cabinet's Defence Committee meeting had been in progress for ten minutes when there was a knock on the door and an army officer walked into the room carrying a large envelope, requesting to see General Ogawa. General Ogawa rose, excused himself, and motioned to a younger officer to leave the room. The Prime Minister spoke.
`While the General is out of the room, I think it is very important that all of us when meeting Chinese officials in the coming days underline to them in the strongest terms our concern about their action in the South China Sea.' Just then General Ogawa came back in. Hyashi looked up and said: `General, what news?'
`Bad news, I'm afraid, Prime Minister,' General Ogawa said. `I have just had it confirmed that the Shell New World, a 296,000 tonne oil tanker bound for Yokohama, was indeed commandeered by the Chinese navy, as we thought. It's not wholly clear yet but it appears to be making for Zhangjiang e home port of China's southern fleet.'
`Are you sure of this, General?' the Prime Minister asked.
`Absolutely sure, Prime Minister. We have infra-red photographic evidence of the seizure and the Shell New World's subsequent course change. As you can see from the photographs I am passing to ministers which for reasons of security are not allowed to leave this room group of twelve Chinese commandos boarded the ship; they fired what appear to be automatic weapons and took a crew-member prisoner. The fourth photograph, which is an enlargement using the latest enhancement techniques, we believe shows the uniform of a Chinese Marine commando unit. The second series of photographs was taken on a subsequent pass over the area. As you can see the New World, which had been on a north-north-east heading, has changed course and is now on a north-north-west heading.'
`Was this operation sanctioned by Beijing, or is it a freelance operation by the Chinese navy?' Hyashi asked.
`We are not sure. Piracy — under cover of PLA Navy operations — has been a fact of maritime life since China opened its doors fully to foreign trade during the Deng era. This operation bears some similarities with previous freelance operations by the PLA Navy but given what happened in the South China Sea yesterday, I would doubt it.'
`Right. I think we treat it as part of the conflict. Kimurasan, I think you should have another talk to Ambassador Bo. Tell him that the government of Japan will not sit idly by and see its vital national interests violated in this way.'
`Prime Minister, may I suggest that Tanaka in Beijing also seek a meeting with Foreign Minister Song to reinforce the message I give Ambassador Bo?' the Foreign Minister said.
`Agreed. Ishihara-san, I would also like you to prepare some recommendations for us concerning the sort of action, or demonstration, our military forces might be able to manage. I'm thinking here, Ishihara-san, particularly of the project in Ogasawara. Gentlemen, I think we have to consider all our options at this stage. I suggest we reconvene here at 2 p.m.'
Jamie Song squinted as the American technician turned the lights up full. A make-up assistant dabbed sweat off his forehead as he watched the second hand of CNN's clock move towards the hour for the beginning of another live interview.
`We are not looking for confrontation, Foreign Minister,' said the television producer. `We covered your invasion earlier. We are now looking for you to explain China to our viewers — to sell them your style of government. Thirty seconds to airtime.'
ANCHOR: On this evening's show live from Beijing we are talking exclusively for the second time running to the Chinese Foreign Minister, Jamie Song. You're going to get to ask your questions direct. You're all familiar now with the news developments in the South China Sea. Jamie has agreed to come on this show to tell us about China, its value system, and what it's hoping to achieve in the long term. And with me in the studio again is China affairs specialist, Chris Bronowski. Seattle, you're on.
SEATTLE: Could Mr Song confirm that parts for the Boeing 757 and 737 are being made in the same factory in Xian as makes the H-6 bombers which attacked Vietnam? And that many of the workers there are in fact prisoners serving long-term sentences in your gaols? And if so, is that ethical?
ANCHOR: Let's get the facts before we move on to morality. Prison labour to make American airliners?
JAMIE SONG: This is a question for my colleague who deals with trade.
ANCHOR: Since she's not here, let's put it another way. If prison or military labour was being used to make American aeroplanes would you condemn it?
JAMIE SONG: Why should I? Some of America's best denim jeans come from prison labour. Do you condemn it?
ANCHOR: Do we, Chris Bronowski?
Commentator: On military labour, I guess that's one for Boeing. They know what deals they have struck. The other wider prison issue is that thousands of people in Chinese gaols are not muggers and rapists, but political prisoners. Many of them are in labour camps only because they have tried to exercise the freedoms that you and I take for granted.