Malaysia PM's warning over South China Sea
Stationing warships in the South China Sea could lead to war, Malaysia's Prime Minister has said.
Tensions in the South China Sea, could escalate into conflict and war if countries start stationing their warships in the area, Malaysiaβs Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has said.
βChina has every right to go wherever they want to go, but please donβt prevent ships from passing through the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea,β he told ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Hardtalkβs Zeinab Badawi on Monday.
βOur policy is to not have battleships and warships in the South China Sea because if people start stationing their warships there, there will be tension, there will be conflict and it may result in a war,β Mr Mahathir said.
Six countries have competing claims in the South China Sea.
Tensions have increased in recent years and China has backed its claims with island-building and naval patrols.
The US, which says it does not take sides in territorial disputes, has sent military ships and planes near disputed islands, calling them "freedom of navigation" operations to ensure access to key shipping and air routes.
