Chinese Coast Guard ‘did not direct lasers’ at PH crew — minister

The Chinese foreign ministry says the China Coast Guard, shown here pointing a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship on Feb. 6, was “professional and restrained.” The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the incident. —PCG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) “did not direct lasers” at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin said..

The PCG earlier reported that its crew members were temporarily blinded after a CCG directed a “military-grade” laser to their vessel in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

In a transcript sent by the Chinese Embassy in Manila late Wednesday, Wang said that the Philippines’ allegation “does not reflect the truth.”

“The China Coast Guard ship used hand-held laser speed detector and hand-held greenlight pointer to measure the distance and speed of the Philippine vessel and signal directions to ensure navigation safety,” Wang said.

“We need to highlight the fact that the China Coast Guard ship did not direct lasers at the Philippine crew, and the hand-held equipment does not inflict damage on anything or anyone on the vessel,” he added.

China earlier accused the Philippines of intruding into their Ren’ai Reef, hence, making such actions.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has clarified the facts to Philippine leaders, Wang said.

“The diplomatic service and coast guards on both sides are in communication through bilateral liaison mechanisms. The Philippine side has learned what actually happened,” said Wang.

“We stand ready to work with the Philippine side to fully deliver on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents, continue to properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultation and jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he continued.

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the maritime incident.

JMS