Days after Sri Lanka asked China to defer the port call of its high-tech Chinese research ship amid India’s concerns over its presence in its neighbourhood, the controversial vessel docked at the island nation’s southern port of Hambantota on Tuesday.
The Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ arrived at 8.20 am local time and is expected to be docked at the port till August 22. The ship was originally scheduled to dock at the port on August 11. However, the docking was delayed due following the denial of permission by the Sri Lankan authorities.
Even though Colombo had asked Beijing to defer the ship’s visit amid Indian concerns, on Saturday, it granted the port access to the vessel from August 16 to 22. Sri Lanka defence ministry gave the security clearance for replenishment purposes during the stipulated period. According to defence ministry officials, no rotation of personnel would take place during the port call.
The Sri Lankan foreign ministry said that as far as handling the issue of the Chinese vessel Wang Yang 5 was concerned, cooperation and security in the neighbourhood are of utmost priority. The local telecommunications regulatory authority had issued a No Objection Letter for the use of communication equipment and frequencies on the condition of non-protection and non-interference.
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