US Pacific Air Forces, however, said the number of Chinese aircraft was “closer to what the Royal Malaysian Air Force is tracking”, with the spokesman refusing to “get into the specifics about our collection methods” because of “operational security concerns”.

When asked about the incident during a media teleconference on Friday, Pacific Air Forces Commander General Ken Wilsbach said the number of Chinese aircraft involved was probably “not as close to the Chinese number as what the Chinese said it was” but he said he needed to “go back to our sources to get the exact number”.

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“One would have thought if it’s indeed an outlandish claim, they would have strongly rebutted this but they didn’t. The lack of mention about the number of planes may simply just mean they admitted such a large flight took place,” he said.

China’s official stance appeared aimed at putting a “legitimate spin” on the incident by stressing that the aircraft did not enter Malaysia’s airspace, Koh said.

Malaysia’s claim overlaps with China’s at Luconia Shoals, off Sarawak, where hydrocarbon exploration is taking place. Chinese coastguard vessels frequently sail in the area despite Malaysia’s assertion that the waters are within its exclusive economic zone.

If China were to announce that it was bringing its actions into line with international law and that it respected the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South and East China seas for all countries, “the world should applaud that decision”, Hayton said.

“[But] I fear that China only respects the right of freedom of navigation for itself and not for others,” he said. “I fear that it’s a way of China demonstrating that its military reach is getting longer and that will be perceived as more threatening by its neighbours.”

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Zachary Abuza, professor of Southeast Asia studies at the Washington-based National War College agreed.

“China wants to have it both ways: they scream when the Americans do this [freedom of navigation operations] to them, but then they go and do it to others. In the case of Malaysia, it is even worse, because the Chinese don’t even recognise Malaysia’s [exclusive economic zone] arguing that everything within the illegal nine-dash line is theirs,” he said, referring to the line shown on Chinese maps that encompasses about 90 per cent of the South China Sea.

While China’s flight was not illegal, sending up to 16 planes was “very provocative” and meant to gauge Malaysia’s response, Abuza said.

“It is important to note that China has not fought a war since 1979, when the Vietnamese humiliated them. It has acquired a very capable military, with all sorts of new equipment. These manoeuvres are really the closest thing China has to test their command and control, and joint operations,” Abuza added.

Hayton, however, said the language used by China in regards to the incident could be seen as heartening.

“It is very pleasing to note that the Chinese side is saying that this flight took place according to international law rather than in ‘Chinese jurisdictional waters’,” he said. “Could this be a sign that China is coming into compliance with international law in the South China Sea?”

Describing the incident as a “useful propaganda boost for Washington”, Hayton said “once again, China’s behaviour in the South China Sea has undermined its overall strategic interests to build friendships with its neighbours.”

US officials are smart enough to understand that countries in Southeast Asia will avoid making a choice between Beijing and Washington, he said.

“They are taking care to portray the US as a friend of Southeast Asian governments, a reliable partner for countries under pressure from Beijing,” Hayton added.

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Koh of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies said he does not expect regional countries will seek to pick a side as they have “maintained agency and seek to preserve their strategic autonomy”.

“This means, while they will still seek to maintain buoyant and cordial relationships with China based primarily on trade, investments and connectivity cooperation, they will still continue to welcome US military presence in the region,” he said.

While Malaysia summoned China’s ambassador to the country last week over the incident, Koh said he does not expect it to “cause a serious dent in the [bilateral] relationship” but imagines it will cause the amount “of trust between the two countries to decrease”.

He said Malaysia still largely adhered to a “softer” form of diplomacy over the South China Sea in view of the need to preserve its “big picture” relationship with Beijing, because of the trade and investment links that are “so critical to Malaysia’s economic recovery and growth amidst the current Covid-19 situation”.

“I believe while [the Malaysian government in] Putrajaya is more likely to maintain a soft diplomatic tone towards China, the Malaysian forces would be expected to step up their vigilance and respond appropriately to any Chinese transgressions without disturbing regional peace and stability – in other words, put up a firm and decisive response, but refrain from being seen to be itching for a fight,” Koh added.