South China Sea: Malaysia shadows Chinese research ship, asserting energy rights
With plans for a new naval base in Sarawak also under way, Malaysia signals its commitment to defending its territorial claims
The Ke Xue San Hao – a Chinese research vessel accused of conducting unauthorised surveys at Ardasier Bank, 150 nautical miles (278km) from Kota Kinabalu – was closely monitored by Malaysian patrol ship the KD Sundang, according to Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Centre for National Security Innovation in a Saturday report.
This is not the first instance of Malaysia standing firm against China’s maritime claims, said Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
Diplomatic tensions flared previously, particularly during a notable incident in 2020, when Beijing issued stern warnings to halt energy exploration off Sarawak. Then, China’s Haiyang Dizhi 8 entered Malaysian waters and followed a vessel carrying out exploration activities.
“Before that incident and after, Beijing has regularly issued diplomatic notes of warning to Kuala Lumpur to cease energy work off Sarawak,” Koh said.
But despite these pressures – and Chinese maritime forces operating in the area – Malaysia’s state oil company has continued its operations.