Malaysia’s push to conduct exploratory energy missions off its coast has turned into a five-nation face-off involving American and Chinese warships, raising the risk of a direct confrontation as broader tensions grow between the world’s two biggest economies.
The stand-off was the latest development in a series of targeted harassments by Chinese vessels of drilling operations in five oil blocks off the Malaysian coast in the past year. The Haiyang Dizhi 8, a Chinese government research ship, was spotted last week conducting a survey close to an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas, months after conducting a similar patrolling exercise off the coast of Vietnam.
According to reports, the Haiyang Dizhi 8, accompanied by a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, entered Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and began a survey close to where the West Capella, a Malaysian ultra-deepwater drillship, was operating. On Thursday, the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was still within Malaysia’s EEZ, about 337km off Borneo, data from ship tracking website Marine Traffic revealed.
The incident prompted the United States to call on China to stop its “bullying behaviour” in the disputed waters, citing concern over Beijing’s provocative actions towards offshore oil and gas developments in the region at large.
This led to a joint exercise by three US warships and an Australian frigate in the South China Sea this week near an area where the Haiyang Dizhi 8 has been operating close to Petronas drilling operation. In addition, the USS America amphibious assault ship and the USS Bunker Hill, a guided-missile cruiser, have been deployed to the South China Sea.
The area, which has now become a hotbed for maritime posturing, is near waters claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, and China. China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea through a U-shaped “nine-dash line” on its maps that not recognised by its neighbours. China has denied reports of a stand-off, saying the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was carrying out normal activities. Malaysia on Thursday said it remained committed to safeguarding its interests in the South China Sea.
Image Source: The Straits Times