China's envoy to Malaysia makes courtesy call on Defence Minister Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein met with China's ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang at his ministry Thursday.

The courtesy call came several days after Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar denied reports that China had encroached into Sarawak waters and was flexing its muscles in the region.

Hishammuddin tweeted several photos of the courtesy call.

Also present at the meeting were Chief of Defence Forces Jen Tan Sri  Zulkifeli Zain, Air Force chief Jen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud and Abdul Aziz.

Hishammuddin also tweeted a photo of him receiving a souvenir model ship from Huang.

"Thanks, characters on the ship say 'Smooth sailing to your destination'. Meaningful gift for the start of CNY," Hishammuddin tweeted.

Abdul Aziz was quoted in a report saying that China had held a high-level maritime exercise with its navy and air force, away from the Malaysia's exclusive economic zone, in conjunction with the recent launch of its aircraft carrier Liaoning.

He was also quoted saying the exercise was conducted northwest of the disputed Spratly islands, which is more than 1,000 nautical miles away from Malaysia's 200km exclusive economic zone. He said no Chinese ship encroached James Shoal, located 80km northwest of Bintulu, Sarawak.

"We are aware of this and our naval and air forces are monitoring the situation with heightened surveillance. There has been no act of provocation on the part of the Chinese or threat to our sovereignty, as they are conducting their exercise in international waters."