The Philippines says a Chinese Coast Guard vessel sailing in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea targeted one of its patrol boats with a military-grade laser light.

The Philippine Coast Guard issued a statement on Monday. It said one of its ships was hit by a laser light shined by a Chinese vessel near a shoal of the Spratly Islands on February 6.

It noted that the Chinese vessel pointed the military-grade laser at its ship twice. It added that crew members on the ship's bridge were temporarily blinded by the action.

A video released by the coast guard shows the Chinese vessel crossing in front of the Philippine ship and shining a green laser light at it.

The coast guard condemned Beijing. It described China's action as a "blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights."

The Philippine boat was heading toward a military base on the shoal to deliver supplies to personnel there.

China has blocked Philippine resupply ships before, and that has caused tension between the two countries. Both nations claim sovereignty over the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a news conference on Monday that the Chinese vessel responded "professionally and with restraint at the site in accordance with China's law and international law."