Second Thomas Shoal laser incident
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On February 6, 2023, the China Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard had an encounter near the Second Thomas Shoal, one of the features of the Spratly Islands which is subject to a wider dispute in the South China Sea.
Second Thomas Shoal laser incident | |||||
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Part of South China Sea disputes | |||||
CCG 5205 pointing a laser at BRP Malapascua | |||||
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Belligerents | |||||
Philippines | China | ||||
Units involved | |||||
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The Second Thomas Shoal is claimed by multiple countries, including China and the Philippines. The latter controls the feature by having grounded the BRP Sierra Madre on the shoal.
The BRP Malapascua of the Philippine Coast Guard was heading towards the shoal for a rotation and rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre crew when CCG 5205 of the China Coast Guard blocked the Filipino coast guard ship to act what it views as an intrusion of the Philippine vessel and aimed a green laser light towards it. The Philippine side alleged the laser was "military grade" and caused its crew to suffer from temporary blindness, which China denies. The incident led to the Philippines filing a diplomatic protest.