• Home
  • Advertisement
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Other Links
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Daily The Business
  • Login
  • Home
  • World
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Markets
  • Tech
  • Real Estate
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
DTB
  • Home
  • World
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Markets
  • Tech
  • Real Estate
No Result
View All Result
DTB
Home NEWS

US says Beijing’s South China Sea laser use ‘provocative, unsafe’

by DTB
March 8, 2023
in NEWS
Reading Time: 4 mins read
129 4
A A
0
38
SHARES
1.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Philippine government has lodged a diplomatic protest, calling on China to ensure its vessels cease “aggressive activities” after the Chinese coastguard used a “military-grade laser” to try to block one of its ships in the South China Sea.

“These acts of aggression by China are disturbing and disappointing,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Teresita Daza, said in a statement on Tuesday, noting that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had recently concluded a state visit to China.

During the visit, Marcos Jr and Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to manage maritime differences in the South China Sea through diplomacy and dialogue, Daza said.

The Chinese coastguard had also engaged in dangerous manoeuvres that risked a collision, the ministry said, adding that such behaviour “constituted a threat” to the sovereignty and security of the Philippines and infringed on the country’s “rights and jurisdictions over its exclusive economic zone”, the official Philippine News Agency reported in a tweet.

BREAKING: The Philippines, through the @DFAPHL, protests the latest aggressive activities of the Chinese Coast Guard against PH official vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, “including dangerous maneuvers & the use of a military-grade laser on members of the @coastguardph.” pic.twitter.com/K6ZUy9rUMj

— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) February 14, 2023

The incident happened as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was on a mission to resupply troops at Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, on February 6.

PCG said its boat was targeted with a “military-grade laser” that temporarily blinded the crew, and accused the Chinese vessel of engaging in “dangerous” manoeuvres.

Second Thomas Shoal lies about 105 nautical miles (195km) northwest of the Philippine province of Palawan in the disputed Spratly Islands.

Within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the shoal is home to a small group of Philippine soldiers living on board a rusting World War II-era ship known as the Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded there in 1999 to underline the country’s claim of sovereignty.

“The Philippines has the prerogative to conduct legitimate activities within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. China does not have law enforcement rights or powers in and around Ayungin Shoal or any part of the Philippine EEZ,” said Daza, the foreign ministry spokesperson.

A Chinese coast guard ship pictured near Second Thomas Shoal. It has the number 5205 on the hull. There is monitoring equipment around the bridge and what appears to be a gun on the foredeck.
The Philippines says there was another incident with the Chinese Coast Guard off Second Thomas Shoal last August, claiming the Chinese vessels created a ‘blockade’ [PCG via Reuters]

The United States also accused China of “provocative and unsafe” conduct in attempting to disrupt the delivery of supplies to troops at the Second Thomas Shoal.

“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard’s reported use of laser devices against the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard ship,” US State Department spokesperson, Ned Price, said in a statement on Monday.

In his statement, Price referred to a July 2016 international court ruling that found there was no legal basis for China’s claim to almost the entire South China Sea. The action was brought to the court by the Philippines, but Beijing has refused to recognise the decision.

“The United States reiterates, pursuant to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and we call upon the PRC to abide by the ruling,” Price said in the statement.

After the PCG revealed the encounter on Monday, the Philippine military urged Beijing to control its forces in the disputed sea, which is also claimed by Taiwan and a number of Southeast Asian countries.

“I think it’s time for the Chinese government to restrain its forces so that it does not commit any provocative act that will endanger the lives of people,” military spokesperson Medel Aguilar told reporters on Monday.

Aguilar quoted the Philippine defence chief as saying the Chinese action was “offensive” and unsafe.

The incident took place when the PCG vessel was about 10 nautical miles (18.5km) from Second Thomas Shoal, according to the Philippines. China also blocked access to the shoal last August, it added, with two Chinese coastguard vessels joining two ships from China’s maritime militia to create a “blockade”.

China’s foreign ministry maintains that its coast guard acts in accordance with the law.

“We urge the Philippines to avoid such actions, and the actions of China’s staff are professional and restrained,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, told a regular briefing on Monday.

China has become increasingly assertive over its claim to the South China Sea, developing military bases on rocky outcrops and deploying the coastguard, its maritime militia and fishing vessels in support of its claims.

The PCG reiterated that it will continue to support and protect the “sovereignty and rights” of the Philippines and the troops on board the Sierra Madre.

The Philippines recently agreed to allow the US access to more of its military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two countries.

Last week, it also announced it would boost security ties with Japan.

Read More

Tags: BeijingsSouth
DTB

DTB

American Dollar Exchange Rate
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
How to avoid buyer’s remorse when raising venture capital

How to avoid buyer’s remorse when raising venture capital

July 2, 2022
Dubai's real estate sector

Dubai: Villa prices post double-digit growth in August 2021

October 23, 2021
9th World Strength Lifting & Incline Bench Press Championship 2022

9th World Strength Lifting & Incline Bench Press Championship 2022 Kyrgyzstan

September 10, 2022
real estate transactions in Dubai

AED7.2 bn in week-long real estate transactions in Dubai

October 23, 2021
Afghanistan remittance payouts limited to local currency -sources

Afghanistan remittance payouts limited to local currency -sources

0
Saudi Arabia Bans Ministers From Sitting on Company Boards

Saudi Arabia Bans Ministers From Sitting on Company Boards

0
SAIF Zone takes part in The Big 5

SAIF Zone takes part in The Big 5

0
Jafza to showcase its core competencies

Jafza to showcase its core competencies in the construction and building materials sector at The Big 5 2021

0
Jeff Zucker reportedly compared his firing from CNN to a gunshot wound: 'I gave them a gun, and they shot me with it'

Jeff Zucker reportedly compared his firing from CNN to a gunshot wound: ‘I gave them a gun, and they shot me with it’

June 4, 2023
Boeing rival Airbus nears record order for 500 planes from India's largest airline, report says

Boeing rival Airbus nears record order for 500 planes from India’s largest airline, report says

June 4, 2023
Here are 6 ways shopping sites trick you into buying more  – and how to avoid taking the bait

Here are 6 ways shopping sites trick you into buying more – and how to avoid taking the bait

June 4, 2023
A Delta flight made an unscheduled landing after an 'unruly' passenger was reportedly restrained by other travelers

A Delta flight made an unscheduled landing after an ‘unruly’ passenger was reportedly restrained by other travelers

June 4, 2023
  • Home
  • Advertisement
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Other Links
Write us: info@dailythebusiness.com

© 2021 Daily The Business

No Result
View All Result
  • Advertisement
  • Contact Us
  • Homepages
    • Daily The Business
    • Home 2
    • Home 3
    • Home 4
    • Home 5
  • World
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Markets
  • Tech
  • Real Estate

© 2021 Daily The Business

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In