Chinese Embassy: Ship in illegal salvage employed by Malaysian company

The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia reacted to recent reports about a Chinese ship linked to suspected illegal salvage. 

In a statement today, it said the ship in question was operated by a Malaysian company.

“Based on the information available, the ship that operated in Malaysian waters was employed by a local company. 

“We hope Malaysia could handle the case justly in accordance with the law, earnestly protect security as well as lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and report investigation progress in a timely manner,” said an embassy spokesperson.

On Monday, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said cannon shells believed to be from World War II had been found on a China-registered bulk carrier ship.

The MMEA said a ship registered in Fuzhou, China, with a 32 crew failed to present anchoring permits during a routine inspection in waters off Johor on Sunday.

It was accordingly detained for anchoring in Malaysian waters without permission.

Authorities also found scrap metals on the ship.

It is understood the shells could be linked to a separate seizure by police at a Johor jetty last week of multiple unexploded World War Two-era artillery.

This followed reports that scavengers had targeted two British World War II wrecks off the coast of Malaysia - the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.

The two capital ships were sunk by Japanese torpedoes in 1941, just three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. - Mkini