Philippines Protests China Laser Use Seen Provocative by US

Philippines condemns harassment, maneuvers by Chinese ship
China Coast Guard action professional, restrained: Beijing

A China Coast Guard vessel directed a laser light at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea on Feb. 6, according to Manila’s coast guard.Source: Philippine Coast Guard

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By Manolo Serapio Jr and Janine Panzer

February 14, 2023 at 2:47 AM UTC

Updated on

February 14, 2023 at 10:03 AM UTC

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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.