Chinese ‘spy ship’ Yuan Wang 5 docks in Sri Lanka despite Indian concern

A Chinese research ship has docked in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port in spite of Indian concerns.

The Yuan Wang 5 was given permission to boat dock on the condition it could not carry out analysis while in Sri Lankan waters, said interface officials.

India got previously voiced worries that the ship would be used to spy on its activities, mentioned media reports.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said the ship will be allowed to stay in the Chinese-run slot until 22 August.

Foreign security experts quoted by Reuters describe the Yuan Wang 5 as one of China’s latest era space-tracking ships, utilized to monitor satellite, rocket and intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

Many Indian media reports described it like a “dual-use spy ship”. Shipping analytics web sites call it a research and survey vessel.

One report by Indian news site NDTV said New Delhi was concerned about “the possibility of the ship’s tracking systems trying to snoop on Indian native installations while on its way to Sri Lanka”.

Earlier within July, an Native indian foreign ministry speaker said the government has been monitoring the ship’s planned visit, including that New Delhi would protect its security and economic interests.

According to a Reuters report, Indian had lodged a verbal protest with all the Sri Lankan authorities against the ship’s check out.

Earlier this 30 days, Sri Lanka’s International Ministry asked China to defer the ship’s port call, saying it necessary to take “further consultations”.

China responded saying it was “completely unjustified for certain countries to cite so-called ‘security concerns’ to pressure Sri Lanka” – though this did not name any specific country. Sri Lanka later announced that the particular boat would be provided permission to ipod dock.

India’s concerns come amidst Beijing’s increasing influence in Sri Lanka – that is currently in a severe economic crisis.

Beijing has loaned billions of dollars to the country as part of its Belt and Road Effort to build infrastructure within Asia. However , not all of the funding worked in Sri Lanka’s favour.

For example , in 2017, China Merchants Port Holdings required a majority share with a 99-year lease within Hambantota port : where the Yuan Wang 5 is currently docked – after Colombo struggled to repay the debt incurred to build it.