998 Chapter 7
Participants: 710 China/365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Chinese detained a Soviet ship on August 10, 1967, for a supposed
violation of trading rights. In a strange series of events, a group of Chinese “ram-
paged” the ship later that day, at which point the Soviets protested. The ship was
released on August 13.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 17, 1967.
MID#2711
Dispute Number: 2711
Date(s): August 9, 1968 to September 28, 1968
Participants: 710 China/365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: China accused the Soviet Union of several airspace violations and of
massing troops along the border.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 1968.
MID#349
Dispute Number: 349
Date(s): December 27, 1968 to December 1969
Participants: 710 China/365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: Soviet and Chinese border troops began engaging in small-scale clashes
in December 1968 as border tensions had mounted between the two countries during
the preceding few years. The territory in dispute—the Damansky Island—lies on the
Ussuri River which demarcates the boundary between China and Russia. On Decem-
ber 27, Soviet troops landed on Damansky Island and clashed with Chinese forces in
a small-scale attack.
Several more clashes took place until the Chinese staged a large-scale attack on
March 2, 1969. Chinese troops ambushed Soviet guards on Damansky Island, killing
58 soldiers. On March 15, the Soviets retaliated in a planned attack that the Chinese
anticipated and for which they were prepared. Tension mounted between the two
countries during the spring and summer of 1969.
On August 13, 1969, the Soviets staged another military attack in a border region,
an action that increased both countries’ anxiety over possible war.
Through a series of diplomatic encounters, the Chinese Premier and Soviet
delegation leader met at the Beijing airport in September 1969, during which
time they set the stage for border renegotiations. These negotiations took place
in Peking in October 1969. While tensions between the two countries remained
during the fall and winter of 1969, the negotiations helped reduce the risk of war.
Border negotiations continued from October 1969 to December with little progress.