MMEA: China vessel spotted in M'sian waters off Miri

KUCHING: A China Coast Guard vessel has been reported to have encroached into Malaysian waters off Miri, just days after Chinese military aircraft were detected near Malaysian airspace.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri director Capt Md Fauzi Othman said the agency received a report on the Chinese vessel's presence near Beting Patinggi Ali on June 4.

Also known as Luconia Shoals, Beting Patinggi Ali is located about 84 nautical miles (155km) off the Miri coast.

"Assets from MMEA and the Royal Malaysian Navy are monitoring the situation closely," Md Fauzi said.

He said the assets were deployed near Beting Patinggi Ali at all times to monitor the area and maintain the nation's sovereignty.

On June 3, Wisma Putra summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia and handed over Malaysia’s protest note in response to an incident involving flight by Chinese military aircraft in Malaysia’s airspace off the coast of Sarawak

RMAF said the 16 planes were detected flying in a tactical formation near the Luconia Shoals.