No China Coast Guard Vessel Anchored At Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali - Chinese Envoy

Luconia Shoals/Beting Patinggi Ali. Source: daliulian.net

KUCHING, March 10 (Bernama) -- China has dismissed as untrue the reported permanent presence of a China Coast Guard vessel at the reef complex of Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali in the South China Sea within the Malaysian exclusive economic zone.

A vessel of the China Coast Guard had come to the area but it is not anchored there, said China's Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang. Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali is located north of Sarawak.

Huang spoke at a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem here Thursday.

"I can let you know...now there is no China Coast Guard vessel staying and anchored there (at Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali)," he said, adding that such a vessel might have come there for an inspection.

"However, now they are not staying and anchored in the area. So this is, somewhat I think, the correct information on the real picture," he said.

Asked whether the reported presence of the vessel was discussed at the meeting with Adenan, Huang said: "No".

"Actually this matter has been in the media for a while. And, frankly speaking, we did not discuss this matter because it seems to me it's a matter suitable to be discussed between the Federal Government and the Chinese Government," he said.

Huang also dismissed a report that Malaysian fisherman from Sarawak were threatened by China Coast Guard vessels.

"I checked that with Beijing. The official answer I have got is that Chinese law enforcement agencies and China Coast Guard vessels have never done so," he said.

Huang said China was glad "to have important consensus" with Malaysia and he said he thought it was a good model for other countries to follow.

"China and Malaysia have a consistent, comprehensive and strategic partnership. We will not let some differences and disputes to affect our relationship.

"If there is any dispute, we can manage it by ourselves. In fact, we have done very well and wish to continue such process," he said.

Earlier, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharum and several officials of the Royal Malaysian Navy called on Adenan.

The chief minister also had a visit from several representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (BERNAMA)