How did China gain control of the Paracel Islands in 1974?

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In early 1974, tensions escalated in the South China Sea following the discovery of potential oil and gas reserves. When Vietnam entered into contracts with foreign oil companies to explore these resources, the People’s Republic of China responded with military force.12

China launched an attack on the Paracel Islands from both the sea and the air. During this conflict, more than 65 Vietnamese soldiers were killed. Chinese forces captured the weather station crew that had been operated by South Vietnam and successfully seized control of the entire archipelago. China has maintained control over the islands in their entirety since that time.12