1000 Chapter 7
committed suicide, and the four others were able to escape. The Soviet Union said
these men were opium smugglers. On August 5, two Soviet border guards were
reported to have crossed the border, killing a Kazakh shepherd, and injuring and
kidnapping another. The shepherd was returned to Chinese authorities 10 days later.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from July 4, 1977.
MID#2715
Dispute Number: 2715
Date(s): March 1978 to May 9, 1978
Participants: 365 Russia/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Soviet Union wanted to draft a joint statement on relations with China,
but Chinese officials rebuffed them on March 9, 1978. China said it was unwilling
to move forward because there remained Soviet troops on the Chinese frontier. The
border disputes stem from the czarist treaties signed in the 19th century on the border
of Ussuri and Amur Rivers. The Chinese argued that the Czars placed the border in the
middle of the river, but the Soviets marked the border along the Chinese banks. The
Soviets replied on April 1, stating that a troop withdrawal was impossible because it
would leave its population vulnerable—500,000 Soviet troops were stationed along
the border. On May 9, Soviet troops crossed the Ussuri River and fired on Chinese
citizens. The Chinese said that the Soviets came during daylight with helicopters,
18 naval boats, and 30 troops, and as an organized attack, fired on, rounded up, and
injured several Chinese civilians. The Soviets said that it was night and while Soviet
forces were looking for a criminal they mistook the Chinese bank for one of the Soviet
islands. Once they realized their mistake they left without any further incidents.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from March 11, 1978.
MID#3007
Started in April 1978. See the narrative in the 710 China/816 Vietnam dyad dispute
list.
MID#2716
Dispute Number: 2716
Date(s): February 17, 1979 to February 1980
Participants: 365 Russia/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On February 17, 1979, China invaded Vietnam. The Soviets responded
immediately by increasing arms shipments to Vietnam and threatening action against
China unless they halted their advance. Chinese Vice Premier stated that China was
prepared to fight the Soviet Union should it enter the war and began moving villag-
ers away from the border in anticipation of conflict. On July 16, there was a clash