Devina Halim
02 June 2021•Update: 02 June 2021
JAKARTA, Indonesia
Malaysia said it will lodge a diplomatic protest with China after 16 aircraft belonging to the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) intruded into the Malaysian maritime zone.
A statement by Foreign Affairs Ministry late Tuesday said the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia will be summoned for an explanation regarding the breach.
Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein stressed that having friendly diplomatic relations with other countries does not mean that “we will compromise on national security”.
"Malaysia remains steadfast in defending our dignity and sovereignty," said Hishammuddin in the statement.
The minister said he will also convey Malaysia's concerns regarding the intrusion to his colleagues in China.
The Malaysian Air Force identified suspicious flights of 16 Chinese aircraft in the disputed South China Sea earlier this week.
According to the Malaysian Air Force, the aircraft entered the airspace of Malaysia's maritime zone at Kota Kinabalu and then national airspace.
The Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 aircraft are strategic carriers and can perform various missions.
*Writing by Maria Elisa Hospita
