The Foreign Affairs Ministry has summoned China’s ambassador to Malaysia for an explanation after the Royal Malaysian Air Force said it had intercepted 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft that were “flying suspiciously” towards Malaysian airspace near Beting Patinggi Ali yesterday.

In addition, minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he will “relay Malaysia’s serious concern” over the matter to his counterpart in China, while his ministry lodges a formal diplomatic protest.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said that the flights were routine training and no country was being targeted.