Without identifying India or the US in its response to the most recent development, China stated that its scientific research efforts are compliant with international law and should not be interfered with by “other parties.”
The Chinese warship Yuan Wang 5, brimming with antennae and communication equipment, docked at Sri Lanka’s Chinese-run port of Hambantota on Tuesday, despite worries from India and the US over its purported surveillance activities.
Without identifying India or the US in its response to the most recent development, China stated that its scientific research operations are in compliance with international law and should not be interfered with by either country “a third party
“On Tuesday, the Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5 landed in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry was quoted by state-run media Global Times as claiming that several senior Sri Lankan officials, including representatives of the president, attended the welcoming ceremony hosted by Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong.
“Yuan Wang 5 will need some time to finish the necessary supplies after docking. Its scientific research efforts are compliant with international law and accepted practises, and other parties shouldn’t interfere with them, he stressed.
Due to concerns that China would utilise the port, which is close to the primary trade route between Asia and Europe, as a military base, India had objected to the docking of the Yuan Wang 5, which analysts characterise as a high-tech ship for tracking objects in space.
Sri Lanka first gave the ship permission for a five-day replenishment stay in Hambantota beginning on August 11. Sri Lanka needs backing from both India and China as it battles its worst economic crisis in decades.
Later, it pleaded with China to put off the ship’s arrival, claiming the requirement for additional talks.
According to a port official who declined to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the record, Yuan Wang 5 will now berth for just three days to restock on supplies including food and fuel.
According to a port official who declined to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media, Yuan Wang 5 will now berth for only three days in order to stock up on fuel, food, and other necessities.
According to an official in the Sri Lankan administration, the island country is making efforts to prevent hostilities between friendly nations.
Bandula Gunawardana, the minister of information, told reporters that “India had expressed concerns and Sri Lanka requested a delay in the ship’s docking till conversations could be made to resolve these issues.”
“Prior to this, Sri Lanka has received ships from the US, India, and other nations. We gave these ships permission to arrive. The Chinese ship has been permitted to dock in a similar manner.”
(With help from agencies)
Prasanta Patnaik