The revelation by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that a “regional superpower” had encroached into Malaysia’s territory and is busy constructing jetties, airstrips and other facilities on three atolls about 85 nautical miles from Sabah is indeed shocking and has far-reaching geopolitical implications.

It is time for Malaysia to make a bold and firm stand on the illegal encroachment of China into our terrorities.

In this context I welcome Zahid’s strongly worded press statement in Kota Kinabalu recently that Malaysia will not remain silent on the encroachment issue and will do everything possible to defend what rightly belongs to the nation under international law.

The illegal land reclamation and other disturbing activities by the Chinese on the vast expanse of the South China Sea, which is creating unprecedented tension and global attention in the region should be viewed with utmost concern by all parties.

China with its new-found military and economic supremacy in the region has been flexing its muscles of late on the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

China’s recent press release on the Spratly Island issue is indeed disturbing and smacks of arrogance.

China warned the Asian nations that it will forcefully occupy all the disputed islands in the South China Sea if its wishes are ignored by the Asian leaders on the Spratly Island disputes, as reported by Utusan Malaysia on Nov 19.

Big plans

It is apparent from the disturbing military infrastructure building activities in the disputed Spratly Islands and in our waters that China has bigger plans for the region.

China’s manoeuvres in the last five years in the South China Sea’s disputed islands and waters have generated much anxiety and suspicion in the region.

China is said to have adopted an increasingly assertive posture towards its own claims by elevating its core interest in the disputed islands and waters of late.

China’s growing assertiveness over sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea is going to pose a serious challenge to the status qua in the region.

Malaysia and Asean member nations should stand united and firm in facing China on its duplicating claims and illegal encroachment manoeuvres in the disputed islands and atolls in the South China Sea.

China should stop bullying the smaller nations with its military might in this region.

It should work to resolve the disputes in a peaceful and acceptable manner, in accordance with international norms and laws.

South China Sea waters belong to the international community and no one single nation should lay claim to control the free waterway.