China and Vietnam Join Rescue Near Disputed Spratly Islands After Cargo Ship Sinks

A Vietnamese cargo ship sank near the Spratly Islands on 24 July 2026 with 62 crew aboard. China sent six vessels and a helicopter; Vietnam sent one ship. Forty-four crew are rescued; 18 remain missing. The Spratlys are claimed by both nations, so this coordinated rescue stands out amid their ongoing territorial dispute over the South China Sea.