Chinese Research Vessel “Yuan Wang 5” Docks In Hambantota Port, According To Sri Lankan Officials

Tuesday saw the arrival of a high-tech Chinese research ship to the southern port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka. Days earlier, Colombo had asked Beijing to postpone the port visit due to India’s concerns about the ship’s proximity to its territory.

At 8.20 am local time, the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship “Yuan Wang 5” docked at the southern port of Hambantota. According to officials, it will be docked there until August 22.

The ship was supposed to arrive at the port on August 11, but it was delayed because the Sri Lankan authorities did not grant it clearance.

Due to India’s worries, Sri Lanka had requested that China postpone the visit. Colombo permitted the vessel access to the port from August 16 to 22 on Saturday.

According to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence gave the vessel’s visit for replenishing reasons throughout the predetermined period the necessary security clearance.

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo requested that the Sri Lankan government offer the required assistance, and it was said there would be no staff rotation during the call.

The foreign ministry in this country issued a statement stating that the security and cooperation in the neighbourhood are of the utmost importance in managing the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 issue.

For the use of frequencies and communication equipment pursuant to non-interference and non-protection basis, the local telecoms regulatory body has issued a No Objection Letter.

Concerns were raised in New Delhi about the likelihood that the ship’s tracking equipment would try to eavesdrop on Indian defence facilities while it was en route to the port in Sri Lanka.

According to the Foreign Ministry statement last week, the Sri Lankan government has subsequently held extensive high-level meetings with all parties involved through diplomatic channels with a view to resolving the issue in a spirit of friendliness, mutual trust, and constructive discourse.

According to the statement, the government acted in accordance with the concept of the sovereign equality of states and took into account the interests of all parties involved.

According to the statement, the ministry sought further data and materials in response to complaints in order to aid in deliberations on the subject.