Initiated earlier than the overall invasion, Chinese operations in Quảng Ninh area began at around 23:00 on 16 February with artillery shelling and an infantry assault against Hoành Mô, Bình Liêu District. On 17 February, the township of Móng Cái and the Xuan Hoa state farm were also subjected to Chinese artillery bombardment. On the same day, fighting broke out at nearby Pò Hèn Border Post. On 3 March, the PLA struck Hill 1050. Both of the attacks were repulsed at a loss of 750 Chinese casualties, according to a Vietnamese report.O'Dowd, p. 64. Citing from FBIS, Southeast Asia, 5 March 1979, p. K-27. Chinese artillery continued pounding Vietnamese positions until 10 March in coordination with infantry raids in smaller scales. On 10 March alone, 3,000 shells were fired against Móng Cái and other border points in Quảng Ninh.O'Dowd, p. 64. Citing from FBIS, Southeast Asia, 12 March 1979, p. K-13.
