Can we have answers for the entry of Chinese attack submarine in Teluk Sepanggar?

Can we have answers for the entry of Chinese attack submarine in Teluk Sepanggar?

An attack submarine from China recently docked in Sabah, making this the second docking of a Chinese submarine in Malaysia this year.

According to defence magazine Jane's 360, the Chinese naval vessel docked at the Royal Malaysian Navy's submarine base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah, between Sept 8 and 11.

Is such activity normal for a foreign nation like China now exercising/flexing its military power in the South East Asia especially in Spratley Island so near to Sabah?

What was the real intention of such attack submarines visiting Sabah especially Teluk Sepanggar?

Such thoughts can be related to statements like Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said “Malaysia was not being ’colonised’ by China through FDI, adding that the allegations were merely political manipulation.”  Is this a valid denial?

Then we have this statement in Defence Magazine Jane’s 360 as according to the magazine, this second visit by a Chinese submarine this year was "a sign of deepening defence relationships between two South China Sea claimant states". (DE 13 Dec page 6)

I do not read the full statement/article in the Defence Magazine, but what are the “two South China Sea claimant states”?  What is the claimant about?  Who is claiming who in South China Sea?  This is very important in term of security seen or unseen as submarines are both seen and unseen at times.

Who have given permission if any to Chinese attack submarine to dock in Telok Sepanggar with the Malaysian defence installations there?  What activities were conducted during the rather long visits?

How would such visits affect our traditional defence deals with Commonwealth nations and other global deals with “friendly” nations?

Do such visits jeopardise defence vital data and information in time of turmoil in the zone?  Also Teluk Sepanggar is also our major container wharf harbour.

Why was the attack submarine not escorted by a local ship into the Bay?

I hope we can get all the appropriate answers to clear all the doubts.

Joshua Y C Kong, 18/9/2017