[simpleman]

Why the restaurant go to Paracel Island? There is nothing there except some uninhabited islands with may be some fishermen. Heard the PLA might have built some structures there. Anyway, it is a disputed area between Philippines, Vietnam and China. 

Owners must have insured the floating restaurant before it sank otherwise that thing cannot get permit to leave HK. So no financial loss to owners unless they rigged the sinking for claims.....

Could be what was inside the restaurant sunken to the Paracel at such tumultuous times