The military engagement that led to China gaining control of the Paracel Islands involved a confrontation between the naval forces of China and South Vietnam. The strategic location of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea had been a source of contention for a number of years, with both nations laying claims to the territory. As tensions escalated in the early 1970s amid the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the situation became increasingly volatile. On January 19, 1974, China's naval forces launched a surprise action against South Vietnamese defenders stationed on the islands.

The engagement was marked by the mobilization of ships from both sides, leading to a series of naval battles over the course of January 20. Although South Vietnam had a naval presence in the area, China's military was better equipped and organized for this particular operation. As a result, South Vietnamese naval forces, despite their initial resistance, could not withstand the coordinated Chinese assault. The battle took place near the Paracel Islands, specifically around Turtle Island, where intense fire exchanges occurred.

China's successful military operation effectively established its control over the entire Paracel Island archipelago, significantly shifting the balance of power in the region. Following this military engagement, the islands remained under Chinese administration, leading to ongoing disputes in the South China Sea, where sovereignty continues to be contested among various countries including Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines. This conflict underscored the broader geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia during a time of significant political upheaval in the region.