US says it will defend Philippines following South China Sea laser incident

China claims the South China Sea virtually in its entirety, putting it on a collision course with other claimants

A green military-grade laser light from a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea (Philippine Coast Guard/AP)

The United States renewed a warning that it would defend its treaty ally if Filipino forces come under attack in the disputed South China Sea, after a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly hit a Philippine patrol vessel with a military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of its crew.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila sent a strongly worded diplomatic protest to the Chinese Embassy Tuesday that “condemned the shadowing, harassment, dangerous manoeuvres, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by the Chinese ship.