Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has allowed China’s high-tech research ship to arrive at South Port Hambantota on August 16. Official sources gave this information on Saturday.
The ship, the Yuan Wang 5, capable of detecting ballistic missiles and satellites, was earlier scheduled to arrive on Thursday and stay in port by August 17. However, after India expressed security concerns, Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry last week requested the Chinese embassy to postpone the arrival of the ship. Again, the ship did not arrive as per schedule on Thursday.
According to sources, the government has finally given permission for this ship to come to the port. According to him, the ship will arrive on August 16 and will stay at the port till August 22. The ship is currently awaiting approval for an onward voyage 600 nautical miles east of Hambantota. Meanwhile, the matter caused a major controversy in Sri Lanka. The opposition has accused the government of not handling the issue properly.
The Hambantota port, located in the deep sea in the south, is considered to be strategically important for its location. The port was largely developed with Chinese loans. India has said that it is watching any developments affecting its security and economic interests.
In New Delhi last month, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, when asked about the proposed visit of the Chinese ship, said, “We are aware of the news of this ship’s proposed visit to Hambantota port in August. The Government keeps a very careful eye on any developments that may have a bearing on India’s security and economic interests. The government takes all necessary steps to protect those interests.”
India had traditionally taken a hard line towards Chinese military ships in the Indian Ocean and opposed any visit to Sri Lanka. Relations between India and Sri Lanka were strained in 2014 when Sri Lanka allowed a Chinese submarine with nuclear capability to enter one of its ports.
On Monday, China’s foreign ministry said it was “totally unjustified” by some countries to pressurize Sri Lanka, citing so-called “security concerns”. India on Friday rejected China’s “objection” that it pressured Sri Lanka against the scheduled visit of the Chinese spy ship, but said it would take a decision keeping in mind its security concerns.
