KUALA LUMPUR – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu)
Malaysia summon the Ambassador (Ambassador)
China to explain the “infiltration” by 16 Chinese air force fighter jets into Malaysian airspace.
The summons came after the Malaysian military detected “suspicious” activity in the South China Sea.
The Malaysian Air Force said it was pursuing the 16 fighter jets on Monday for visual confirmation after the Chinese fighter jets flew within 60 nautical miles of Sarawak state, Malaysian Borneo.
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“The incident poses a serious threat to national sovereignty and aviation safety,” the Malaysian Air Force said in a statement.
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“The Chinese planes did not contact regional air traffic control despite being instructed several times,” the Malaysian Air Force said.
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Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government would issue a diplomatic protest note and ask the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia to explain “violations of Malaysia’s airspace and sovereignty”.
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“Malaysia’s stance is clear. Having friendly diplomatic relations with any country does not mean that we will compromise our national security,” Hishammuddin said in a statement.
The Chinese embassy previously said the planes carried out routine flight training and “strictly complied” with international law without violating other countries’ airspace.
“China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors, and China is willing to continue bilateral friendly consultations with Malaysia to jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy.
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