Six Chinese boats seized for intrusion into Malaysian marine limits, 60 Ch

Kuala Lumpur: Six Chinese boats, intruding into the Malaysian marine limits, were seized. Along with the ships, 60 Chinese citizens also have been arrested. The arrested Chinese citizens claimed that they were on their way to Africa. But it has been exposed in the past that China has used the Coast Guard and Naval Militia to establish claims on different parts of the South China Sea. Therefore, this Malaysian action becomes significant.

The Chinese Navy has dramatically increased its activities in the South China Sea since the last few months. The movement of Chinese warships, along with the ships of the coast guard and fleets of armed fishing boats (Naval Militia), has increased. The Chinese warships and other ships are regularly troubling the ships of other countries passing through the region. In April, a Chinese patrol vessel had dashed against a Vietnamese fishing boat. South China Morning Post, a daily published from Hong Kong, has reported that the preparations to implement Air Defence Identification Zone also have been made to claim rights over the South China Sea.

In May, the Chinese ships had set up a base near the Malaysian marine region. Assistance had to be sought from the US Navy to drive these ships away. Even after that, the Chinese vessels had made two attempts of intrusion into the Malaysian marine region. Malaysia had submitted a statement in the United Nations clarifying its stand against these increasing Chinese activities. Moreover, Malaysia had taken a defiant stand against China by refuting all the Chinese claims over the South China Sea. Against this background, the action taken by Malaysia against the Chinese boats becomes significant. It is believed that this action delivers a direct message that Chinese bullying will not be tolerated.

Maritime Enforcement Agency of Malaysia detained six Chinese Ships in action taken near the Johor Province on Friday. Six captains and 54 Chinese citizens also were detained along with the boats. It has been revealed that all these boats are registered in the Chinese port of Qinhuangdao. The Chinese captains claimed that the ships were sailing for Mauritania in Africa. The Malaysian sources informed that further investigations are being held in the matter.

Chinese ships have intruded into the Malaysian marine limits on a whopping 90 occasions in the last three years. The local citizens are complaining that the Malaysian fishing industry also has been affected due to this intrusion and bullying by these Chinese ships. Therefore, Malaysia has apparently issued a warning, taking action against the Chinese boats. This Malaysian stand is consistent with the position adopted by the ASEAN countries in the last month against Chinese aggression. Before Malaysia, countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand also have taken decisions that challenge the Chinese activities.