The is typical bullying behavior. The next time China tries to deny any other sovereign nation access to international waters (or worse, those nations’ own waters), they should immediately be smashed square in the face, and the U.S. (if it had any real leadership) should make clear to the CCP that we would back any such nation to the hilt. The best moment to do this would be when any of these Chinese “fishing boats” tried to get in the way. If it were me, they would immediately become the latest artificial reefs in that area - straight to the bottom. And there would DEFINITELY be zero tolerance for the Chinese military using lasers to blind crew on passing ships.
One way or another, we’re heading for a clash with them because like the typical bully, they won’t stop until they get punched.