The Philippines said a Chinese vessel used a laser to try to disrupt a resupply mission to its troops. Read more at straitstimes.com.
WASHINGTON - The United States on Monday said it stood with the Philippines after Manila accused China’s coast guard of“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People’s Republic of China Coast Guard’s reported use of laser devices against the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard ship on February 6 in the South China Sea,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
“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. The 100m-long World War II ship was intentionally grounded on the shoal, known in the Philippines as Ayungin, in 1999 to reinforce Manila’s sovereignty claims in the Spratly archipelago.
“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. The office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declined to comment, referring reporters to the PCG statement.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philippines accuses China of aiming ‘military-grade’ laser at coast guard vessel in South China SeaThe Philippine Coast Guard said the Feb 6 incident caused temporary blindness to crew members. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Philippines: China ship hits Filipino crew with laser lightMANILA, Philippines: A Chinese coast guard ship twice hit a Philippine coast guard vessel with a “military-grade laser light” that caused temporarily blinded some of its Filipino crew in the
Read more »
Philippines' Marcos open to a troop pact with JapanMANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Sunday (Feb 12) he saw no reason why the Philippines should not have a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan if it would boost maritime security and ensure greater protection for Filipino fishermen. Marcos, however, also told reporters he would exercise ca
Read more »
Philippines' Marcos open to a troop pact with JapanHe said he would exercise care in pursuing a potential pact “because we do not want to appear provocative”. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Power outages, strong winds, sea swells and rain as Cyclone Gabrielle nears New ZealandMore than 30,000 homes were without power in the country's upper North Island on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Power outages, strong winds, sea swells and rain as Cyclone Gabrielle nears New ZealandWELLINGTON - More than 58,000 homes were without power in New Zealand’s upper North Island on Monday as Auckland and nearby regions were hit by strong winds, heavy rain and huge swells as Cyclone Gabrielle nears.
Read more »