Malaysia Investigates Leak of Classified Chinese Diplomatic Note on South China Sea Dispute

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Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the leak of a classified diplomatic note from China, following its publication by a Philippine media outlet. The document, reportedly sent in February, demanded Malaysia halt oil exploration activities at the Luconia Shoals in the disputed South China Sea, a region China claims as part of its sovereignty.

The leak was made public on August 29 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which reported that China’s note asserted Malaysia’s activities in the area infringed on Chinese territorial claims. The Luconia Shoals, located about 100 kilometers off the coast of Malaysia’s Sarawak state, are approximately 1,300 kilometers from China’s nearest landmass, Hainan Island.

In response, Malaysia's foreign ministry confirmed an internal investigation and involvement of law enforcement, but did not authenticate the document. The ministry emphasized Malaysia’s territorial claims over the shoals, which are part of the broader South China Sea dispute. Several Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, have competing claims in the resource-rich region, which is also a critical global shipping lane.

Despite strong diplomatic and trade ties with China, the leak has brought attention to tensions over Malaysia’s ongoing oil exploration activities in the contested waters. The South China Sea dispute remains a point of international concern, with U.S. involvement through freedom of navigation operations aimed at challenging China’s extensive claims. The leak highlights Malaysia’s delicate balancing act between maintaining relations with China while asserting its own territorial rights.