Chinese Research And Survey Ship Wang 5 Arrives In Sri Lanka, Docks At Hambantota Port ; India Watches With Caution

Picture : Twitter/ ANI

The much talked about Chinese research ship Yuan Wang 5 on Tuesday morning arrived and docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, according to local media. The vessel is capable of tracking satellites and intercontinental missiles.

As per ANI report, The research and survey vessel was earlier scheduled to dock at the Chinese-leased Hambantota Port on August 11 but was deferred for a while after India raised its concerns. This morning the ship docked at the Sri Lankan Port, Daily Mirror reported.

Sri Lanka confirmed that it has communicated to China to defer the visit of the Yuang Wang 5 vessel to Hambantota Port.

The Chinese Embassy requested the Sri Lankan government to provide necessary assistance and positive consideration for the ship to dock.

On August 12, the Chinese Embassy informed Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry via a Diplomatic Note that the vessel Yuan Wang-5 was scheduled to arrive at Hambantota port on August 16 and applied for clearance for replenishment purposes for the new date August 16 to August 22.

Following Sri Lanka’s decision, China had said that the cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is independently chosen by the two countries and meets common interests and does not target any third party.

Beijing had also said that it is “senseless to pressure Sri Lanka” by citing the issue of security concerns in an apparent reference to reports that Colombo had taken the decision following concerns expressed by India.

India’s concerns have been focused on Hambantota port in particular. In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to China Merchant Port Holdings for 99 years, after Sri Lanka was unable to keep its loan repayment commitments, fanning fears over the potential use of the port for military purposes.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Sri Lanka, as a sovereign country, makes its own independent decisions and noted that India would make its judgment on its security concerns based on the prevailing situation in the region, especially in the border areas.