Colombo: China’s envoy to Sri Lanka on Tuesday brushed off the ongoing controversy over the arrival of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at China’s southern port. hambantotaSuch trips are called “very natural”.
Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking shipYuan Wang 5Arrived at the southern port of Hambantota at 8.20 a.m. local time. It will stay there till August 22.
The ship was originally scheduled to reach the port on August 11, but was delayed due to lack of permission by the Sri Lankan authorities.
Amidst India’s concerns over this, Sri Lanka had asked China to postpone the visit. On Saturday, Colombo granted the ship access to the port from 16 to 22 August.
Sri Lanka stated that security clearance from the Ministry of Defense had been granted for the vessel’s visit for the purpose of replenishment during the stipulated period.
Qi zhenhongThe Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka was present at the port to welcome the ship.
Several MPs from the splinter group of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party were also present.
“Sri Lankan research ship like this is very natural. A similar ship came here in 2014,” Zhenhong told reporters when asked about the trip.
When asked about Indian concerns, the ambassador said, “I don’t know, you should ask Indian friends”.
The ship maintained a very strict security operation and no one was allowed on board.
The Sri Lankan decision to postpone the yatra created a lot of controversy in the country as the yatra was approved in mid-July.
On the ship’s arrival, Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardhan said that the issue has been resolved amicably.
“Ties with all countries are important to us,” Gunavardhan said.
In a statement here, the Foreign Ministry said security and cooperation in the neighborhood is the top priority to deal with the issue of the Chinese vessel Wang Yang 5.
India has traditionally taken a tough stand on Chinese military ships in the Indian Ocean and has opposed such visits with Sri Lanka in the past.
Relations between India and Sri Lanka were strained in 2014 after Colombo allowed a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one of its ports.
China is Sri Lanka’s main creditor with investments in infrastructure. Debt restructuring of Chinese debt will be critical to the island’s success in its ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
India, on the other hand, has been Sri Lanka’s lifeline in the current economic crisis.
India has been at the forefront of providing nearly $4 billion in aid to Sri Lanka during the year as the island nation grapples with its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.
India’s concerns have been particularly focused on the Hambantota port. In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to China Merchant Port Holdings for 99 years after Sri Lanka was unable to meet its debt repayment commitments, fueling fears over the port’s potential use for military purposes.
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