China said Thursday its aircraft didn't violate any other country's airspace during routine flight training across the South China Sea.
The People's Liberation Army confirmed it dispatched 16 aircraft, claimed to be strategic transport planes, across its territory earlier in the week. Malaysian authorities said the planes flew within 60 nautical miles off its territory, near the nation's Sarawak state in Borneo.
Malaysia's Air Force said the aircraft's activities were "suspicious" and presented a "serious threat" to the nation's sovereignty and flight safety. China officials said the country wouldn't knowingly threaten any of its neighbors. It is looking only to maintain regional peace and stability.
Some observers defending China's actions said the planes were the same strategic lifters used in disaster and humanitarian relief.
Malaysia military officials said the planes were Ilyushin il-76 and Xian Y-20 transporters. The aircraft were traveling in an in-trail formation at an altitude of about 8,000 meters. The aircraft have been involved in the fight against COVID-19. The long-range aircraft were used by the country to deliver vaccine doses and medical supplies to neighbors.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative, Wang Wenbin, confirmed the reports Thursday, saying it was a routine training operation. Wang said the military wasn't targeting any country. He added that the Air Force had abided by international law and didn't enter into any other country's airspace.
Wang said he is in contact with his Malaysian counterparts. A day before his statement, Malaysia's foreign ministry said it would summon China's envoy to explain the "intrusion."
"China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors, and China is willing to continue bilateral friendly consultations with Malaysia to jointly maintain regional peace and stability," China's foreign ministry said.
Military experts in China said the PLA's strategic transport aircraft were built for long-distance flights, which is why they were dispatched to faraway locations.
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