Malaysia summons envoy over encroachment of Chinese vessels, including off coasts of Sabah, Sarawak

Ouyang Yujing has been summoned by Wisma Putra to protest against the presence and activities of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 5): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) yesterday called in China’s ambassador Ouyang Yujing to convey Malaysia’s position and protest against the presence and activities of Chinese vessels, including a survey vessel, in Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said the presence and activities of these vessels were inconsistent with Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984, as well as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Malaysia’s consistent position and actions are based on international law, in defence of our sovereignty and sovereign rights in our waters,” the statement said.

Malaysia had also protested against the previous encroachments by other foreign vessels into our waters.

In determining Malaysia’s position and course of action with regard to the South China Sea issue, which is complex and involves inter-State relations, Malaysia’s national interests will remain of paramount importance, the statement said.

Malaysia reiterates that all matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. — Bernama

from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/3A5y56Z
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