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South China Sea: Chinese ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 seen near Malaysian waters, security sources say
- Ship operated by Malaysia’s oil company Petronas reportedly tagged by number of vessels, including one from Vietnam
- Chinese survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 was at one point flanked by more than 10 vessels, including those from China’s military, according to sources
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A Chinese government survey ship is tagging an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas in disputed waters in the South China Sea, three regional security sources said on Friday.
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China’s Haiyang Dizhi 8 entered waters near Malaysia on Thursday, according to ship tracking website Marine Traffic.
On Friday, it was close to the Petronas-operated West Capella, according to the security sources, who did not want to be identified because they were not authorised to talk to the media. One of the sources said a Vietnamese vessel was also tagging the West Capella.
The area is close to waters claimed by both Vietnam and Malaysia as well by China, through its sweeping claim to most of the South China Sea within a U-shaped “nine-dash line” that is not recognised by its neighbours or most of the world.
The United States has accused China of taking advantage of the distraction of the coronavirus pandemic to advance its presence in the South China Sea.
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