MMEA: China Coast Guard ship encroached, went near Luconia Shoals

 

A China Coast Guard ship was detected near Beting Patinggi Ali (Luconia Shoals) four days after 16 China military planes flew near the same area.

The vessel that had encroached Malaysian waters on June 4 was coming within 84 nautical miles (155km) of the coast of Miri.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri chief Md Fauzi Othman confirmed the matter with The Borneo Post.

“Yes, I can confirm that we had received a report on the China Coast Guard encroaching into our waters on June 4.

“Our assets including (that) from the Royal Malaysian Navy have been monitoring the situation closely,” he was quoted as saying.

Fauzi reportedly said that the MMEA monitors the area all year round.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Chinese embassy for a response.

The China Coast Guard operates in waters in both China’s territory and disputed territories.

Between 2016 and 2019, China Coast Guard and navy ships trespassed into Malaysian waters a total of 89 times, often near Luconia Shoals.

The shoals are part of a longstanding maritime dispute between China and several countries, including Malaysia.

Both Malaysia and China claim sovereignty over the area but the latter’s claims are not internationally recognised.

Four days prior

On May 31, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) intercepted 16 China military aircraft for flying “suspiciously” near the shoals. They came within 60 nautical miles from the coast of Sarawak.

The Chinese embassy later denied the planes posed any threat, saying the incident involved aircraft in “routine training”.

Following the incident, Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that having diplomatic relations with a country did not deter Malaysia from defending its national security.

He summoned the Chinese ambassador to relay Malaysia’s “serious concern” and also lodged a formal diplomatic protest note over the matter.

The meeting was postponed after Hishammuddin had to quarantine after being identified as a Covid-19 close contact. - Mkini