Mint Explainer: Another Chinese spy ship follows in the Indian Ocean

What is background?

In August, a Chinese spy ship, Yuan Wang-5, was docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port. Sri Lankan officials said the ship was only docking for refueling. However, the ship arrived after weeks of drama, with New Delhi prompting Sri Lanka to reject Beijing’s request to allow the ship to dock in Hambantota, operated by a Chinese state-owned enterprise. Given that the Yuan Wang-5 was a non-military research vessel, Colombo argued, the ship should be allowed to dock and refuel. The ship’s visit raised concerns in India about Beijing’s growing military and research footprint in the Indian Ocean. It also raised questions about Sri Lanka’s strategic orientation towards China.

What are these ships doing in the Indian Ocean?

According to Beijing, both Yuan Wang-5 and Yuan Wang-6 are scientific research vessels. As such, Beijing has insisted that the docking of the Yuan Wang-5 in Hambantota is a part of “normal exchanges between the two countries” and does not pose a security threat to India or any other power. Yuan Wang-6 does not plan to dock in Sri Lanka.

While such vessels can be used for scientific purposes such as mapping the ocean floor or prospecting for metals, the Yuan Wang-5 also brought satellite-tracking capabilities. The Yuan Wang-6 is also reported to have the ability to track missile tests. It is being told that these ships are part of the newly created Strategic Support Force (SSF) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The SSF was raised to enhance China’s space, cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. Beijing’s hope was to enhance its ability to fight high-intensity, high-technology conflicts.

Should New Delhi be worried?

Naval experts observed that visits of such ships are common to many states. While the visits are not a threat in themselves, they are a concern because of India’s relations with Sri Lanka. Colombo overturned when Yuan Wang-5 was allowed to visit Hambantota before acceding to Beijing’s request, despite India’s opposition. In 2017, Maithripala Sirisena’s government rejected Beijing’s request to make submarine calls to Sri Lankan ports on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country.

The ship’s visit comes after India offered billions in aid and financial package to Sri Lanka, which has been facing an economic downturn.

Sri Lanka’s envoy to India said that the decision to allow Yuan Wang-5 to dock was made when Sri Lanka was grappling with the chaos of the collapse of the Rajapaksa government. He said that India and Sri Lanka needed a “framework of cooperation” to deal with such issues.

What does this say about Chinese ambitions in the Indian Ocean?

First, it shows that Beijing is leaving no stone unturned to establish a strong foothold in the Indian Ocean. Strategic analysts say these spy ships help China gain a better understanding of the complexities of operating militarily on the sea floor and in the region. This information will likely be used to strengthen China’s combat capabilities and may eventually be used against India. However, the use of Hambantota port in Sri Lanka confirms fears about Beijing’s strategy of acquiring “dual-use” ports. This means ports that serve regular economic functions, but are also capable of hosting Chinese military assets and serving as an instrument. Power Projection in the Area While Hambantota is a regular port, it is operated by a Chinese state-owned enterprise, which has raised fears that its use may increase for Chinese military use.