Malaysia protests over Chinese military ‘intrusion’ in airspace

2 June 2021, 07:44

A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft that Malaysian authorities said was in the airspace over Malaysia’s maritime zone near the coast of Sarawak state on Borneo island. (Royal Malaysian Air Force/AP)
Malaysia China SouthChinaSea. Picture: PA

The Chinese Embassy denied the planes violated Malaysia’s airspace.

Malaysia’s government will issue a diplomatic protest against an “intrusion” by 16 Chinese military aircraft into its airspace, the foreign minister said.

The country’s foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that he will summon the Chinese ambassador to explain “this breach of the Malaysian airspace and sovereignty”.

The Chinese Embassy denied the planes violated Malaysia’s airspace.

Malaysia’s air force said its radar picked up the Chinese aircraft Monday near Malaysian-administered Luconia Shoals, a rich fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea.

The Chinese planes then moved nearly 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) off the coast of Sarawak on Borneo island.

After attempts to contact the aircraft failed, the air force sent its fighter planes to identify them.

It said they were Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 strategic transporters, flying at between 23,000-27,000 feet (7,000-8,000 metres) — altitude typically used by commercial flights. Malaysia called the incident a “serious threat to national sovereignty and flight safety”.

“Malaysia’s stand is clear— having friendly diplomatic relations with any countries does not mean that we will compromise our national security,” Mr Hishammuddin said in a statement.

Malaysia has made a diplomatic protest (AP)
Malaysia has made a diplomatic protest (AP)

He said he will relay Malaysia’s serious concern on the matter to his Chinese counterpart.

The Chinese Embassy defended the activity, saying its military planes did not violate Malaysia’s airspace and had exercised freedom of overflight in the area.

It said they were carrying out routine flight training and did not target any country.

During the training, the Chinese military aircraft strictly abided by the relevant international law and did not enter the territorial airspace of any other country, the embassy said in a statement.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea on historic grounds.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have overlapping claims, and tensions have ramped up since China built several man-made islands and turned them into military outposts.

The strategically important area straddles some of the world’s busiest sea lanes and is also rich in fisheries and may hold underground oil and natural gas reserves.

Malaysia says Chinese coast guard and navy ships intruded into its waters in the South China Sea 89 times between 2016 and 2019.

Malaysia has filed six diplomatic protests to China, including one in 2017 in response to a Chinese note asserting its claim to the South Luconia Shoals.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

This photo released by Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev official telegram channel shows a damaged apartment on the site where a shot down Ukrainian drone fell, outside Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday.

Russia hit by 'largest drone attack in three years' ahead of crunch Ukraine-US talks in Saudi Arabia

FILE - Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks inside the Southorn Stadium during a thanksgiving gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino workers.

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte arrested over crimes against humanity following drugs crackdown

Fiancee of 80s rocker Taime Downe presumed dead after plunging from cruise ship following show

Chilling update on death of 80s rocker's fiancée after she plunged overboard during Caribbean cruise

Stock Exchange on Wall Street on Monday, March 10, 2025 in New York City. Stocks dropped after President Donald Trump didn't rule out a recession with U.S. tariffs being implemented.

US shares plummet again as Trump's refusal to rule out recession continues to rock America's economy

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Portrait

Tragic reason it took so long to find Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after couple died

Rome, Italy. 25th Jan, 2025. Pope Francis seen during the Celebration of Vespers

Vatican issues major health update on Pope Francis as pontiff remains in hospital

Palestinian Hamas militants are seen during a military show in the Bani Suheila district on July 20, 2017 in Gaza City, Gaza.

British woman, 20, who publicly 'endorsed' October 7 attacks on Israel charged with supporting Hamas

The Ukrainian president has arrived in Saudi Arabia on the eve of vital peace talks between Ukrainian and US officials hosted in the country, which he won’t attend.

Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi Arabia to push for ceasefire ahead of crunch US peace talks

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks after signing an executive order on expanding access to IVF at his Mar-a-Lago resort on February 18, 2025.

US added to international civil liberties watchlist for ‘serious decline’ in civic freedom

Vladimir Putin

Russia blames UK for 'instigating' both world wars after expelling two British diplomats from Moscow

President Donald Trump waves to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 9, 2025.

'I hate to predict things' - Trump refuses to rule out US recession as trade war sends shocks through stock market

Berlin, Germany, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Putin expels two British diplomats as Russia accuses them of ‘spying’

Two British diplomats have been expelled from Moscow

Putin expels two British diplomats from Russia accusing them of ‘spying’

Mr Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains in post until his successor is sworn in.

Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney send strong message to Trump after becoming Canadian prime minister

Residents walk past rubble and damaged buildings in a devastated area in Gaza on March 8, 2025.

Israel cuts off electricity supply to Gaza affecting drinking water, one week after blockading all humanitarian aid

An armed man was shot by U.S. Secret Service personnel Sunday morning following a confrontation outside the White House

Armed man shot by Secret Service outside White House