A?soldier of Shenzhen's frontier inspection force was killed and five others were injured after a speedboat slammed into their boat in Dapeng Bay in eastern Shenzhen on Saturday morning.

Lin Shoumin, a 23-year-old frontier soldier, was aboard one of two interceptor vessels along with six other soldiers, who were acting on a tip-off that there were two illegal motor boats in the waters at 5:05?AM Saturday.

According to Chinese-language papers, one of the two speedboats suddenly slammed into Lin's vessel, ignoring warnings.

Lin Shoumin and another soldier Lin Shuxiong were thrown into the water.

Lin Shoumin was pronounced dead hours later in hospital while Lin Shuxiong was seriously injured.

Police are investigating the case. So far one suspect has been detained.

In November last year, Ai Wei, also a frontier soldier, was killed when his vessel was hit by a speedboat belonging to smugglers in eastern Shenzhen's Meisha waters.

A team of seven was on board an interceptor vessel, acting on a tip-off that Hong Kong smugglers were going to deliver a batch of goods to Shenzhen.

Ai, 20, was missing immediately after the collision.

Reports said the boat ploughed directly into Ai's chest, and he was thrown into the water five meters away.

Ai was unconscious but was still alive when found by his colleagues. He was pronounced dead hours later.

The two boats capsized, and another vessel came to the smugglers' aid to help them escape to Hong Kong.

Two suspects were detained by police in Hong Kong the next day.

(Shenzhen Daily April 24, 2006)