Malaysia Asserts Sovereignty in South China Sea.

Malaysia has stated that it is committed to protecting its sovereignty and interests in the South China Sea, following concerns expressed by China about Malaysian energy projects in a part of the sea that China also claims. Malaysia's state energy firm Petronas operates oil and gas fields within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone and has had several encounters with Chinese vessels in recent years. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that the nine-dash line has no legal basis.