A few days ago, the Philippines accused “unidentified” Chinese vessels of pointing lasers at its vessels bound for Zhongye Dao. According to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine media, the alleged high-energy laser attack on Filipino “civilian vessels” took place near Banyue Jiao (Half Moon Reef), and was detected by Philippine crew members using night vision devices. The incident lasted for about five minutes, and the crew confirmed that no one was injured, but reported that they felt stinging in their eyes and were concerned about the impact of laser use on navigational safety.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) went further, alleging that it could cause temporary blindness, accusing China of harassing Filipino vessels by taking unsafe actions near Philippine waters. However, the allegations woven by the Philippines are based on anti-science, defy common sense and logic, and are contrary to the facts, clearly reflecting its twisted mindset of fearing for peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Scientifically, the columns of light in the video images released by the Philippines do not correspond to the use of lasers. Due to its high-energy characteristics, an offensive laser is usually bright at night, but according to the information provided by the Philippine side, the crew had to rely on night-vision devices in order to perceive the light columns of the so-called “laser irradiation”. 

Logically, there was no need for the Chinese side to use “laser weapons” under the circumstances. While it is true that high-energy lasers can be used offensively, their primary purpose is to defend against drones and artillery shells, and to damage enemy satellites and sensors, not to target crew members in maritime interactions. Simultaneously, China has an abundance of control measures at its disposal, and there is no proven situation that would require its use, which is relatively costly and inefficient under the circumstances.

As a matter of fact, given that the Philippines’ vessels were intent on proceeding to Zhongye Dao, which the Philippines had illegally occupied, to provide fuel and other supplies -- very likely constituted a continuation of its internationally wrongful act - China used a searchlight to warn the Philippine vessel as protocol. The performance of the light columns in the video released by the Philippines is also consistent with the performance of ship-borne searchlights under night vision. There is no reason why the Philippines cannot distinguish between laser weapons and searchlights. It should be recognized that the reason why it is showing serious symptoms of paranoia in this case is not due to a lack of scientific knowledge but due to its fear that the wave on the South China Sea will die down.

The Philippines has for some time now continued to use the South China Sea issue as a grip for geopolitical speculation, trying to kidnap specific extraterritorial powers by provoking friction at sea and worsening the situation. Facing the change of government in the United States, the Philippines is even more disturbed, fearing that it will be left out or completely abandoned, so it hopes to behave more aggressively on the South China Sea issue, showing the new U.S. government its “value” of the containment of China.

Nevertheless, under China’s firm, calm, professional and restrained control, the Philippines’ provocations were suppressed in time, and the regional situation was always under control. The Philippines had no choice but to start making something out of nothing, reviving the laser attacks it had already hyped up last year, playing the role of a delusional and anti-scientific person in a bad way.

By now, the spurious Philippine “tragedy” no longer resonates with any country in the region. Insisting on violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and departing from the consensus of countries in the South China Sea region on maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea will only make the Philippines an “outlier”. The Philippines should cherish China’s restraint and goodwill, respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, abide by the DOC, and stop miscalculation of the situation and adventurous speculative behavior.

(Author: Chen Xidi, China Institute for Marine Affairs)