South China SeaAmbassador to be summoned after 16 Chinese planes allegedly flew into Malaysian air space off Borneo
The foreign ministry of Malaysia has said it would summon Chinas envoy to explain an intrusion by 16 air force planes into its airspace, after the south-east Asian countrys military detected suspicious activity over the South China Sea.
Malaysias air force said it scrambled jets on Monday after the planes flew within 60 nautical miles off Sarawak state of Malaysian Borneo. It described the incident as a serious threat to national sovereignty and flight safety.
The Chinese planes did not contact regional air traffic control despite being instructed to do so several times, the air force said.
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Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysias foreign minister, said he would issue a note of diplomatic protest and ask Chinas ambassador to explain the breach of airspace and sovereignty.
Malaysias stand is clear having friendly diplomatic relations with any countries does not mean that we will compromise on our national security, Hishammuddin said in a statement.
Chinas embassy earlier said the planes conducted routine flight training and strictly abided by international law without violating airspace of other countries.
China and Malaysia are friendly neighbours, and China is willing to continue bilateral friendly consultations with Malaysia to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, a spokesperson said.
China has been pushing an expansive claim over the South China Sea, through which about $3tn worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. It has also built military facilities on manmade islands.
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Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to various islands and features in the area and Chinas coastguard routinely warns foreign boats and aircraft to leave what it calls its territory.
Malaysias air force said the planes, comprising Ilyushin il-76 and Xian Y-20 strategic transporters, had traveled in an in-trail tactical formation at between 23,000 and 27,000 feet.
Last year, a Chinese survey ship held a month-long standoff with a Malaysian oil exploration vessel within Malaysias exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Malaysias move follows months of diplomatic protests by the Philippines over the presence of hundreds of Chinese fishing boats in its EEZ, which it says are manned by militia. China has largely ignored the complaints.
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