Manila: In the disputed South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard claimed on Monday that a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a "military-grade laser light" at one of its boats, temporarily blinding the crew.

The incident took place on February 6 in the Spratly Islands, about 20 kilometers from Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine marines are stationed, according to a statement from the coast guard.

It was the most recent in a string of maritime clashes between China and the Philippines, which asserts sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and disregarded a ruling by an international court that found those claims to be unfounded.

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In the disputed South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard claimed on Monday that a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a "military-grade laser light" at one of its boats, temporarily blinding the crew.

The incident took place on February 6 in the Spratly Islands, about 20 kilometers from Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine marines are stationed, according to a statement from the coast guard.

It was the most recent in a string of maritime clashes between China and the Philippines, which asserts sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and disregarded a ruling by an international court that found those claims to be unfounded.

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Additionally, the Chinese ship engaged in "dangerous maneuvers" by approaching the Philippine boat from a distance of only 140 meters.

The Philippine Coast Guard declared that the deliberate obstruction of Philippine government ships carrying food and supplies to its military personnel "is a blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights in this part of the West Philippine Sea."

The West Philippine Sea is what Manila refers to as being to its immediate west. It is unclear whether the Second Thomas Shoal resupply mission was successful. Usually, supplies are transported on privately owned vessels with the coast guard on board.

Requests for comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila were not immediately fulfilled. The Philippine-garrisoned shoal was also blockaded by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships in August, according to the coast guard, to prevent official ships from reaching the troops.

In order to prevent "miscommunication" in the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping decided to establish direct communication between their foreign ministries in January. If the hotline was utilized in the most recent incident is unknown.

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The number of Philippine bases available to US forces has increased to nine as a result of the US-Philippine agreement earlier this month. It happens as the longtime allies try to stop China's military expansion in the area. In the South China Sea, there are also conflicting claims from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.