• About
  • OSAR LIVE
  • Contact
Friday, January 27, 2023
OSAR
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Caribbean
  • International
  • Caribbean
  • International
No Result
View All Result
OSAR
No Result
View All Result
Home International

Chinese survey ship docks in Sri Lanka after diplomatic standoff

admin by admin
August 16, 2022
in International
0
Chinese survey ship docks in Sri Lanka after diplomatic standoff

China's research and survey vessel, the Yuan Wang 5, arrives at Hambantota port on August 16, 2022 [Ishara S Kodikara/ AFP]

0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A Chinese research ship has docked at a Sri Lankan port after a days-long delay, reportedly because of concerns raised by India and the United States.

The Yuan Wang 5 entered Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on Tuesday morning, and was welcomed by Chinese diplomats and port officials, according to the Colombo Gazette.

READ ALSO

Wagner mercenary ‘had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender’

Brazil probes anti-democratic riots as world leaders condemn attacks

The satellite tracking ship was initially scheduled to arrive in Hambantota port, a facility built and leased by Chinese companies and located on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, on August 11.

But the Sri Lankan foreign ministry deferred the five-day replenishment visit on August 8, citing “certain concerns”, apparently due to protests from New Delhi and Washington, according to media reports.

The Reuters news agency, citing a government source, said India objected to the ship’s visit, with Indian media describing the 730-foot vessel (222.5 metres) as a dual-use spy ship. The Pentagon, in its latest report on China’s military, had said the Yuan Wang vessels are operated by the Strategic Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army. It said the ships can be used to monitor satellite, rocket and ballistic missile launches.

India’s foreign ministry, however, rejected reports that it pressured Sri Lanka to turn the Yuan Wang away.

Arindam Bagchi, spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, said on Friday that “we reject categorically the ‘insinuation’ and such statement about India”. He added, “Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and makes its own independent decisions.”

The Washington Post, meanwhile, reported that US officials had also lobbied against the ship’s planned visit.

Citing a Sri Lankan government official, the Post said a Chinese navy ship arriving at Hambantota was not strategically significant, but that Indian and US officials had argued that it would be “viewed as Sri Lanka giving special treatment to China, a major creditor,” at a time when the country is grappling with its worst-ever economic crisis and trying to renegotiate its international debt.

China, which has been vying for influence in Sri Lanka, is the country’s largest creditor and has provided the country in the past with billions of dollars for development projects, including for the construction of the Hambantota port. Sri Lanka has since been struggling to repay the loans, and in 2017, handed over commercial activities at the $1.5bn port to a Chinese company for 99 years in exchange for debt relief. At the time, the move raised concern in India that China could use the port as a military base.

There was no official comment from the US on the Post’s claims.

Amid the diplomatic standoff, the Yuang Wang 5 reportedly reduced speed and turned around at sea, and China’s foreign ministry said it was “completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called ‘security concerns’ to pressure Sri Lanka”.

It also urged “the relevant parties to see China’s marine scientific research activities in a rational light and stop disrupting normal exchange and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka”.

Ultimately, Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry on Saturday announced it had permitted a port call.

The ministry said in a statement that it had “engaged in extensive consultations at a high level through diplomatic channels with all parties concerned”.

The ship would be allowed to stay in Sri Lanka until August 22, it said, on the condition that it would keep its identification systems on and would not carry out any research activities in the country’s waters.

It added that its intention was to “safeguard the legitimate interests of all countries” and was thankful for the support from partners at a time when the country was trying to address its severe economic challenges.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA 

Related Posts

Wagner mercenary ‘had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender’
International

Wagner mercenary ‘had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender’

January 24, 2023
Authorities in Brazil investigate pro-Bolsonaro rioters who stormed Congress, government buildings
International

Brazil probes anti-democratic riots as world leaders condemn attacks

January 16, 2023
Trump says he’s testifying Wednesday in NY investigation
International

Donald Trump’s Quest for the White House Looks All Done

January 11, 2023
Authorities in Brazil investigate pro-Bolsonaro rioters who stormed Congress, government buildings
International

Authorities in Brazil investigate pro-Bolsonaro rioters who stormed Congress, government buildings

January 9, 2023
Russia’s ‘dirty bomb’ claims fuel fears Putin is planning his own escalation
International

Russia’s ‘dirty bomb’ claims fuel fears Putin is planning his own escalation

October 25, 2022
Iran accuses ‘Great Satan’ US of ‘inciting chaos, terror’
International

Iran accuses ‘Great Satan’ US of ‘inciting chaos, terror’

October 17, 2022
Next Post
PAHO reports on progress in fight against smoking in Americas

PAHO reports on progress in fight against smoking in Americas

Please login to join discussion

POPULAR NEWS

Dominican shot execution-style in New York

Dominican shot execution-style in New York

March 31, 2022
“Why is my child?” – emotional mother of abducted child weeps

Statement by police on shooting death of Kian Alexander and search for Kernisha Etienne

June 19, 2022
Nightgown among items belonging to abducted child found in bushes

Nightgown among items belonging to abducted child found in bushes

June 9, 2022
Young Dominican journalist passes away

Young Dominican journalist passes away

May 25, 2022
Police in Dominica bring in trained dog and handler as search for abducted child continues

Police in Dominica bring in trained dog and handler as search for abducted child continues

June 9, 2022

EDITOR'S PICK

St. Kitts coalition partners hold second round of talks

St. Kitts coalition partners hold second round of talks

April 15, 2022
Car bomb kills daughter of ‘spiritual guide’ to Putin’s Ukraine invasion – Russian media

Car bomb kills daughter of ‘spiritual guide’ to Putin’s Ukraine invasion – Russian media

August 22, 2022
Saint Lucia planning major campaign against domestic violence

Saint Lucia planning major campaign against domestic violence

July 5, 2022
Russia offering more scholarships to Vincentians

Russia offering more scholarships to Vincentians

October 6, 2022

About

OSAR Radio (Old Street Audacity Radio) is a 24/7 operation. Learn More.Learn More

Listen Live

Recent Posts

  • OSAR’s Wednesday news package
  • Local businesses to benefit from launch of Flow Business in Dominica
  • UN Report: 131 Million People In Latin America And The Caribbean Cannot Access A Healthy Diet
  • Wagner mercenary ‘had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender’
  • Listen Live
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2022 Osar - Site by G & D Enterprises Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Caribbean
  • International

© 2022 Osar - Site by G & D Enterprises Inc.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In