China asks Malaysia to handle detained vessel 'in accordance with law'

By Alperen Aktas

ANKARA (AA) - China on Tuesday asked Malaysia for a fair investigation of the Chinese ship and its crew that carried WWII cannon balls and illegally anchored in Malaysia’s maritime zone.

Addressing a routine press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China acknowledged the situation and requested a “fair and lawful handling of the case.”

The focus is on protecting the “safety and legal rights of Chinese citizens,” and the embassy expects timely updates on the investigation's progress, Mao told reporters in Beijing, according to a transcript of her news briefing shared by China's Foreign Ministry.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a China-registered cargo vessel on Monday that was illegally anchored in the maritime zone in the southern Johor state of Malaysia.

The ship has a 32-member crew, including 21 Chinese nationals, 10 Bangladeshis, and one Malaysian.

The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, and the agency is committed to keeping the waters free of illegal activities, said MMEA Johor Director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria.​​​​​​​