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South China Sea: Malaysia scrambles jets to intercept 16 Chinese military planes
- Aircraft identified as Chinese Ilyushin 1l-76s and Xian Y-20s spotted near East Malaysian state of Sarawak
- Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he would summon the Chinese envoy over the ‘breach of Malaysian sovereignty and airspace’
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Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on Tuesday said he would summon China’s ambassador in the country over a Chinese military aircraft manoeuvre in airspace near the East Malaysian state of Sarawak that was tantamount to a “breach of Malaysian airspace and sovereignty”.
Hishammuddin’s statement followed an earlier announcement by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) that it had on Monday afternoon scrambled jets to intercept 16 Chinese aircraft that had come close to violating the Southeast Asian country’s national airspace.
In an immediate response, China said the “reported activities” were part of routine flight training that “do not target any country” and abided by international law.
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Beijing’s controversial nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea stretches well into waters off the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.
The Southeast Asian nation and other counter-claimants against Beijing in the sea dispute deem China’s claims to be illegal under international law.
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