China “did not direct lasers” at the crew of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at Ayungin Shoal last week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, stressing that the handheld device meant to check speed and intended for navigation safety “does not inflict damage.”
In a transcript sent by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Chinese Foreign Minister spokesman Wang Wenbin detailed his country’s side incident last Feb. 6 at the Ayungin Shoal where the PCG alleged China Coast Guard of directing a “military grade” laser at some of the Filipino crew aboard BRP Malapascua while on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
The official stressed China’s “indisputable sovereignty” in the Spratly Islands chain, known in China as Nansha Islands, including the Ayungin Shoal or Renai Reef in China, but “was compelled to respond in accordance with law and warned” the PCG ship to leave.
“During that process, 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,” his statement read.
“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. The Philippine side’s allegation does not reflect the truth,” it added.
Wang’s statement came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. summoned Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian to express his concern over the latest incident in the widely contested waters of the South China Sea.
READ: Marcos summons envoy over China’s ‘aggressive acts’ vs PCG, Filipino fishermen
The spokesman said the Chinese envoy “provided the facts and China’s principled position on that.”
However, he also stressed that China stands ready to work with the Philippines in holding “friendly consultations” to handle their maritime issues and ensure peace and stability in the region.
“The diplomatic service and coast guards on both sides are in communication through bilateral liaison mechanisms,” Wang said.
“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 added.
The latest incident highlights the simmering tensions between the two countries, and pushed the United States to call out China’s aggressive stance in the resource-rich region by a warning to invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
Believed to be a possible flashpoint of military conflict, China claims the entire South China Sea, including territories claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, and Taiwan.