A Dangerous Precedent; What Are the Implications of 16 Chinese Fighter Jets Penetrating Malaysia's Airspace?

An Italian newspaper confirmed that although Malaysia had succeeded in "effectively" countering the CORONA pandemic outbreak, it had to impose a total closure for 14 days due to a new wave that caused a rise in the number of positive cases.

“Il Caffè Geopolitico” said Malaysia's protest against the violation of its airspace by 16 Chinese fighter jets and its flight over its territory at the beginning of June 2021 further complicated the situation, especially since China is not only one of the world's major powers, but also one of its most important strategic partners.

Worsening Situation

The newspaper reported that the government of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin succeeded through a temporary closure in reducing the rise in infections during the first months of 2020, when the epidemic hit hard. 

In addition, the government has proposed massive financial stimulus packages of up to €65 billion, aimed at boosting the economy and attracting foreign investors in the future.

The newspaper reported that May 2021 saw a significant increase in the number of recorded infections again, reaching 560,000 at the beginning of June, so the government decided, in order to reduce the spread of the virus, to impose a new closure for two weeks, from June 1 to 14.

As a result of this decision, many multinational companies, including Honda and Toyota, have been forced to temporarily suspend production, which, along with all other factors, will have significant economic implications for the country, the Italian newspaper predicts.

The situation had been exacerbated by the fact that Chinese aircraft had not informed Malaysian air traffic controllers of their flight path, risking a possible collision with Malaysian aircraft that had intercepted them.

Initially, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said his country would send a diplomatic protest note to Beijing, as well as summon China's ambassador to Malaysia to clarify the air violation. 

According to the protest note, Kuala Lumpur maintains excellent relations with China, despite some differences, and it would therefore be regrettable to damage these fruitful relations for both.

Dangerous Precedent

Beijing claims that its flights were merely a routine exercise of the Chinese Air Force, stressing that the exercise fully respects the laws of international law and therefore there has been no breach.

The newspaper suggested that it was very likely that Beijing had aimed at reasserting its dominance in the South China Sea, which has made international headlines on several occasions because of the many regional conflicts to which China is usually a party.

It noted that the region also plays an economically strategic role, particularly since maritime traffic across the South China Sea is worth more than $3 trillion annually.

The newspaper explained that the diplomatic incident assumes a pause of reflection for Malaysia: China on the one hand is a major partner of Kuala Lumpur, but at the same time it is also a strategic competitor and sometimes an uncomfortable neighbor.

It claimed that the greatest threat to the Malaysian Government was the risk of strained bilateral relations and damage to agreements between the two parties, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, China's giant infrastructure project, in which Malaysia is also involved.

"Kuala Lumpur is now required to take the very important step of trying to persuade Beijing, through the diplomatic tool, to admit the mistake committed, so that it does not go unnoticed, especially since it could lead to a dangerous precedent," the newspaper concluded.