Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea

BEIJING (AP) — A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons. The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves.
___CHINA DISPUTES U.S. ACCUSATION OF FIRING LASER AT PLANE
China’s Defense Ministry says a report that one of its navy ships fired a laser at a U.S. Navy surveillance plane last month d