'Stop provocative and unsafe conduct in South China Sea,' US tells China

The United States called upon China to stop the provocative and unsafe conduct in the South China Sea , the State Department said in an official statement, adding that it continues to track and monitor these interactions closely. This statement came after the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of “aggressive tactics” on Friday following an incident during a Philippine coast guard patrol close to the Philippines-held Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint for previous altercations located 105 nautical miles (195 km) off its coast, Reuters reported. The Philippines in February said that a Chinese ship had directed a military-grade laser at…