The US has responded in anger at claims China has been firing lasers at its pilots

THE United States has accused China of an act ‘just short of war’ ... by blinding pilots flying in and out of Djibouti with military-grade lasers.

THE Pentagon says Chinese nationals have pointed lasers at US military aircraft near Djibouti up to 10 times in the past few weeks.

China has recently completed a naval base on the East African nation’s coast, just a few miles from a similar US Navy facility.

In one of the incidents, two C-130 Hercules transport plane pilots were dazzled by a laser as they approached Camp Lemonnier — causing them to become dizzy and have their vision damaged. They are reportedly recovering.

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“They are very serious incidents ... We have formally démarched the Chinese government and we’ve requested the Chinese investigate these incidents,” Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said.

She said the Pentagon was “confident” the lasers had been pointed by Chinese nationals.

The Wall Street Journal reports the lasers — which may have been military grade — were observed by US pilots as originating from the Chinese port facility’s compound.

The Chinese Defense Ministry has vehemently denied the claims: “We have already refuted the untrue criticisms via official channels. The Chinese side consistently strictly abides by international law and laws of the local country, and is committed to protecting regional security and stability.”

China’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of lying. “You can remind the relevant US person to keep in mind the truthfulness of what they say, and to not swiftly speculate or make accusations,” a spokeswoman said.

“We have refuted the false accusations through official channels. The Chinese side has consistently abided by international law and the laws of the local country strictly, and is committed to safeguarding regional security and stability,” said the ministry in a statement.

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China is known to field about four different kinds of laser specifically designed to dazzle. The War Zone reports these weapons look very much like large assault rifles or shoulder-launched grenade launchers.

China is a signatory of the 1998 United Nations Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons.

“These incidents are not surprising as they represent an act just short of war, but indicate gross, intentional negligence, as well as complete disregard for aviation safety and international norms,” Asia Group research firm principal Trey Meeks told The Wall St Journal. “I would certainly view it as harassment.”

It’s reported that US pilots have since been instructed to wear protective eyewear when flying in the vicinity of the Chinese Djibouti base.

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An official ‘Notice to Airmen’ has been issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration, warning of “multiple lazing events involving a high power laser’ and to ‘exercise extreme caution’ when flying near Djibouti.

The US Camp Lemonnier houses about 4000 military personnel, including special operations forces. It’s generally used as a base of operations for operations in and around Yemen and Somalia, including anti-piracy operations.

China also uses anti-piracy patrols in the region as the justification for its new military base.