The U.S. says it will stand by the Philippines after a suspected Chinese laser attack on one of the nation’s Coast Guard ships in the South China Sea
The U.S. warns it will defend the Philippines, labelling China’s conduct both “provocative and unsafe”.
During a briefing, State Department spokesperson Ned Price says lasers disrupted the Philippines’ “lawful operations” in the South China Sea.
Adding, Beijing’s “dangerous operational behaviour directly threatens regional peace and stability.”
The crew of the ship was allegedly temporarily blinded by the laser devices as the vessel sailed around a submerged reef in the South China Sea.
It’s a region the U.S. says China has “no lawful maritime claims” over.
Price was also asked about China’s global surveillance program and the support the U.S. will provide to allies around the world.
