The Malaysian armed forces previously said they had detected “suspicious” air activities above the regions given in the disputed South China Sea.
A Chinese coast guard patrol ship (left) was seen near an unknown ship in the South China Sea. (Reuters)
China, Malaysia is locked in a tense stand out of the ‘intrusion of fighter planes’
The Malaysian armed forces previously said they had detected “suspicious” air activities above the regions given in the disputed South China Sea.
China on Wednesday said his combat plane did not violate the Malaysian airspace but was doing freedom overflights. Malaysia previously said it would call Chinese envoys to protest intrusion by 16 military aircraft into the airspace.
On Monday, the Malaysian armed forces said they had detected “suspicious” air activities above the region provided in the South China (SCS) region were disputed.
The Malaysian Air Force added that they had detected 16 Chinese aircraft – People’s Liberation Air Force (PLA) – Flying within 60 miles of sea from Sarawak State of Malaysia Borneo on Monday, called it “serious activity” over SCS and “serious threat to national sovereignty and Flight safety, “according to the Reuters report on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he would summon the Chinese Ambassador to explain the “Malaysian air violations and sovereignty”.
In Beijing, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the allegations. “As far as I know, it is routine training carried out by the Chinese Air Force on the waters in the south of the Nansha Islands. It does not target any country,” said Wang Wenbin spokesman at the briefing.
“During training, the Chinese Air Force truly fulfilled international law and did not enter the air space of other countries. The Chinese side has communicated with Malaysia about this,” Wang added.
The Chinese Media Report said that the State Air Force “… reportedly sent 16 aircraft consisting of strategic transportation aircraft to the South China Sea for routine flight training on Monday, without breaking the airspace of other countries”.
“China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors, and China are willing to continue bilateral friendly consultations with Malaysia to jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” said a spokesman for the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as quoted.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, quoting historical records.
Some countries including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims that overlap.
Tensions in the maritime area have increased since China built several man-made islands and turned them into military posts.