Sri Lanka has asked China to indefinitely defer a visit by its spy ship Yuan Wang 5, following intense pressure by India. In retaliation, China has sought an immediate meeting with Sri Lankan authorities.
Analytics website MarineTraffic says Yuan Wang 5 is enroute from the Chinese port of Jiangying to the Chinese-run Sri Lankan port of Colombo.
Though it has been described as a research and survey vessel, Indian media has reported that it is a dual use ship that can be used for space and satellite tracking with specific usage in intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Fearing the ship would be used to spy deep into its territory, India had lodged a strong protest with Colombo. India is highly suspicious of China’s growing influence on Sri Lanka.
We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by this vessel to Hambantota in August,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi when asked about the reports of a proposed visit by a Chinese vessel.
“The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India’s security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them,” he said last month.
The Yuan Wang 5 was scheduled to dock at the Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17. But, a ‘third-person’ note from Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry to the Chinese embassy in Colombo dated August 5 said “the ministry wishes to request that the arrival of the vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota to be deferred until further consultations are made on the matter.”
Following this China requested an urgent meeting with Sri Lankan authorities to discuss the issue after receiving the note from the Foreign Ministry seeking a delay in the visit, sources here said.
Some Sri Lankan news outlets also reported that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a closed-door meeting with China’s Ambassador Qi Zhenhong after Colombo sought a deferment of the planned docking.
The Sri Lankan president’s office has denied any such meeting took place.
