Malaysia defends Chinese ships’ visit to Penang after criticism over ‘convivial’ welcome

Malaysia’s government on Monday defended the visit of two Chinese navy vessels to Penang earlier this month, following public criticism of the trip, which involved a school visit during a period of high tensions over claims to the South China Sea.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships Qi Jiguang and Jinggangshan moored in Penang for a three-day goodwill visit from October 5 to 7, ending just before Southeast Asian leaders met in Laos.

Malaysians panned the warm reception for the 1,000 Chinese sailors to the island, as well as a visit involving lecturers and students from the PLA Naval University of Engineering to a Penang school, which went viral on social media.

The welcome was criticised by former deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, who said the visit sent the wrong message and served no logistical purpose as China had ports “illegally built” in the South China Sea that could replenish the vessels.

Responding in parliament on Monday, Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan defended the “convivial” welcome given to the ships, saying it was in line with this year’s 50th-anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

“This has received the approval of the Defence Ministry. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry issued diplomatic approval for the ships to enter our waters and dock there,” Mohamad said, adding that the Penang state government organised other activities with PLAN.