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THREE Vietnamese cargo ships which disappeared after reporting they were being chased by Chinese security officers through Hongkong waters are being detained within kilometres of the territory.

  This exclusive picture reveals the whereabouts of the boats, moored in a group of at least 12 seized vessels under high security at a Chinese military base.

  Fines of up to $150,000 will have to be paid before the boats, said by Chinese authorities to have been used for smuggling, will be allowed to sail on to Vietnam, the Sunday Morning Post has learned.

  Hongkong authorities were alerted to their possible detention last week, when the vessels radioed that they were being chased and boarded by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers.

  Marine Police boats and Government helicopters went to the scene, but the ships could not be seen when they arrived.

  The Security Branch has said it will raise the incursion into the territory's waters with the New China News Agency.

  Our reporters have traced the cargo vessels to a harbour area of the soon-to-be-completed international port of Yantian, about 25 kilometres from Shenzhen, on China's side of Mirs Bay.

  A source close to the PSB said all alleged smuggling ships seized ''on the high seas'' by China would only be released after fines of between $50,000 and $150,000 were paid.

  ''[The fine] depends on what goods are being smuggled,'' he said. ''The charges for ships smuggling cars are the most expensive, electrical appliances are cheaper.

  ''Both the customs and naval army responsible for the border area intercept ships which pass by.''   The Chinese maintain a strong military presence in the huge natural harbour, which is protected on three sides by mountains.

  Next to the port is the small town of Yantian, a thriving fishing area that is rapidly expanding.

  Three piers stand in front of the town. The first is controlled by the PSB and entry is restricted; an armed gunboat patrols the area.

  The second pier is a customs post, and it is there that the Vietnamese ships most recently seized are being detained.

  Four boats are moored alongside the pier, including the Song Hieu 16, last heard from off Po Toi last Saturday. Several Chinese fast patrol craft, which are used to intercept vessels, are also tied up there.

  Behind the customs post, lined up along the bank, are 13 tai feis which apparently have been seized by the Chinese in previous smuggling operations.

  The Hai Van 06, which radioed for help off Waglan Island last week, is anchored about 500 metres off-shore, mysteriously with an old bus prominently sitting in the middle of its deck. Next to it is the Hai Hung 01, also last heard of near Waglan, with novisible cargo.

  In the middle of the cluster of boats is the Hua Long. On its deck are about a dozen large wooden crates, one of which has a front panel missing, revealing what looks like a new car.

    Next to the Hua Long is a similar but unidentified ship with the same wooden crates on deck.

  Near the pier is the 690-tonne Viet Xo 01, which sailed from Hongkong on March 30 and radioed the Marine Department at 8 pm that evening saying the vessel was being ''caught by Chinese policemen''.

  The Viet Xo 04, bound for Ho Chi Minh City, was stopped by armed Chinese police at 1 am on March 31. Both ships had all the correct export documentation and were each carrying cargoes of electrical goods and cars worth $2 million.

  Around a headland from the second pier is a naval base where a number of larger seized ''smuggling'' ships are also said to be held.

  It seems the customs and naval authorities decide between them which ships each is going to seize and detain within their respective harbours.

  The naval pier is near the popular Shenzhen tourist resort of Xiaomeisha, where witnesses claim to have seen several Taiwan-registered vessels.

  One said: ''Taiwanese businessmen often come here looking for their missing boats. They negotiate for the release of their ships after making sure they are not damaged.'' 



Revealed: the military base where Viet ships are guarded by gunboats