Malaysia accuses Chinese ship of stealing artifacts from British shipwreck sunk during World War II

On May 29, Malaysian maritime authorities said cannonballs believed to be from World War II were found on a Chinese cargo ship that was detained over the weekend for illegally anchoring in Malaysian waters, according to Reuters news agency.

Specifically, on May 28, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said that a ship registered in Fuzhou province (China) carrying 32 crew members failed to present an anchorage permit when it was inspected in the waters off the southern Malaysian state of Johor.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Vessel

After inspection, Malaysian authorities found scrap metal and artillery shells on the Chinese ship.

According to the MMEA, authorities believe that the items may have been taken from the British Navy ship HMS Prince of Wales that sank off the coast of Malaysia during World War II. The agency also informed that they are working with the Department of National Heritage Malaysia and other agencies to determine the type of ammunition found.

The investigation was launched after reports that people were illegally salvaging two British World War II shipwrecks off the coast of Malaysia, the HMS Prince of Wales and the HMS Repulse, both sunk by Japanese torpedoes in 1941.

Following reports of illegal salvage operations, the National Museum of the Royal Navy said last week it was concerned about the vandalism of the two wrecks for personal gain. The Ministry of Defence condemned the "desecration" of military graves at sea, according to the BBC.

China has not yet commented on the above information.

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