South China Sea: Malaysia shadows Chinese research ship, asserting energy rights

The Ke Xue San Hao – a Chinese research vessel accused of conducting unauthorised surveys at Ardasier Bank, 150 nautical miles (278km) from Kota Kinabalu – was closely monitored by Malaysian patrol ship the KD Sundang, according to Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Centre for National Security Innovation in a Saturday report.

This is not the first instance of Malaysia standing firm against China’s maritime claims, said Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Diplomatic tensions flared previously, particularly during a notable incident in 2020, when Beijing issued stern warnings to halt energy exploration off Sarawak. Then, China’s Haiyang Dizhi 8 entered Malaysian waters and followed a vessel carrying out exploration activities.

“Before that incident and after, Beijing has regularly issued diplomatic notes of warning to Kuala Lumpur to cease energy work off Sarawak,” Koh said.