KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is committed to protecting its interests and rights in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on Thursday, amid a standoff between Chinese and Malaysian ships in disputed waters.

regional security sources have said. American and Australian warships arrived in the South China Sea this week near an area where a Chinese government survey vessel has been operating close to a drillship contracted by Malaysian state oil company Petronas.

Hishammuddin said that any dispute should be resolved in peaceful ways.

Hishammuddin said in a statement, “While international law guarantees freedom of navigation, the presence of warships and ships in the South China Sea is likely to increase tensions, which may result in affecting peace, security, and stability in the region,”.