The Philippines has protested China’s move to aim a military-grade laser at a Philippine ship in the South China Sea which the US said was “provocative and unsafe” and threatens peace and stability in the region.
(Bloomberg) — The Philippines has protested China’s move to aim a military-grade laser at a Philippine ship in the South China Sea which the US said was “provocative and unsafe” and threatens peace and stability in the region.
The diplomatic protest, filed with the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday, “condemned the shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by a Chinese coast guard vessel against a Philippine ship on Feb. 6, Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The Philippine coast guard on Monday reported that a Chinese coast guard ship “illuminated” a green laser light twice toward Philippine vessel BRP Malapascua while it was on a resupply mission near Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea. The incident caused “temporary blindness” to the crew, it said.
“The Philippines has the prerogative to conduct legitimate activities within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said. “China does not have law enforcement rights or powers in and around Ayungin Shoal or any part” of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, she added.
Responding to the diplomatic protest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that Beijing did not use lasers, saying the action of the China Coast Guard “was professional and restrained.”
The US State Department earlier said Washington stands with the Philippines in upholding rules-based international maritime order. China’s behavior “infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” it said in a statement.
Philippines’ Daza said “these acts of aggression by China are disturbing and disappointing” given that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month agreed to discuss maritime differences amicably during Marcos’s visit to Beijing.
China’s Wang said on Monday the Philippine ship “intruded in the area,” urging the Southeast Asian nation “to respect China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and avoid actions that might escalate the situation.”
Tensions between Manila and Beijing have risen recently with Chinese ships seen trailing Philippine fishing vessels, often forcing the latter to change course. Earlier this month, the US and the Philippines have agreed to resume joint patrols in the disputed waters.
–With assistance from Ditas Lopez and Lucille Liu.
(Adds China’s response to Philippine diplomatic protest in 5th paragraph)
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