evidence: Nevertheless, China’s belligerent behaviours have visibly expanded to other contested areas within its nine-dash line, including a vast tract of Malaysia’s claimed EEZ.[viii] This development has gained traction in the last decade, as demonstrated by recurrent intrusions of Chinese maritime militia and Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity of Malaysia’s claimed James Shoal and Luconia Shoals off the Sarawak coast of Borneo.[ix] China regards James Shoal as its southernmost territory, prompting Beijing to project its maritime power just off the coast of Sarawak. Consequently, China has been persistent in its claims on the Luconia Shoals, seizing the shoal in 2013 and anchoring its ships consistently between 2013 and 2015.[x] Furthermore, tensions heightened in 2014 when Chinese officials decided to conduct a sovereignty oath-swearing ceremony with the presence of its three warships in Malaysia’s James Shoal.[xi] [...] [ix] James Shoal (Gugusan Beting Serupai) is located 45 nautical miles off the coast of Sarawak, and the Luconia Shoals (Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali), positioned 62 nautical miles from Sarawak. See, Ahmad and Sani, "China Assertiveness Posture," 67-69.