Australian navy pilots have been cleared of any injury after being hit by lasers while exercising in the South China Sea.
Euan Graham, who was onboard the Royal Australian Navy flagship HMAS Canberra on a voyage from Vietnam to Singapore, said in an account of the incident written for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute the lasers had been pointed from passing fishing vessels while the Canberra was being followed by a Chinese warship.
A Defence spokesperson told AAP on Wednesday there had been a rise in the use of hand-held lasers across the region.
"With regards to the incident mentioned in recent reporting, the Royal Australian Navy pilots involved were examined as a precautionary measure and cleared of any injury by medical staff.
"The pilots were not grounded as has been reported in the media."
A HMAS Canberra crewmember directs an American V22 Osprey helicopter on the ship’s flight deck during joint Australian-US operation Exercise Talisman Saber. Source: Royal Australian Navy
The spokesperson said while the reason for vessels using the lasers is unknown it may be to draw attention to their presence in congested waterways.
"The inappropriate use of lasers would pose a potential safety risk to all those operating in the region."
Last year, the US complained to China after lasers were directed at aircraft in the Horn of Africa nation that resulted in minor injuries to two American pilots.
China denied that its forces targeted the US military aircraft.
Five other governments have claims in the South China Sea that overlap with China's.
The US and its allies insist on the right to sail and fly anywhere in the area as permitted under international law, despite China's differing interpretation of such guidelines.
