A Chinese research vessel has recently berthed at the Colombo port in Sri Lanka, despite prior security concerns expressed by the United States. Sri Lankan officials confirmed the vessel's entry, specifying that the ship, named "Shi Yan 6," had been granted permission to dock for replenishment purposes.
Although there have been unverified reports that Sri Lanka initially delayed granting permission due to security concerns raised by India, no official confirmation of these concerns has been made available. The duration of the vessel's stay at the Colombo port remains uncertain. Its arrival follows a visit by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to China the previous week.
This development is in line with Colombo's earlier announcement in August, which stated that the Chinese research vessel was scheduled to arrive in October to engage in marine research activities in collaboration with Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resource Research and Development Agency (NARA).
The Shi Yan 6 is described as a Research/Survey Vessel with a carrying capacity of 1,115 DWT, boasting an overall length of 90.6 meters and a width of 17 meters.
In the preceding month, the United States expressed concerns to Sri Lanka about the impending visit of the Chinese research vessel to the island nation. During a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland had reportedly discussed her apprehensions with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry concerning the visit of the vessel known as 'SHI YAN 6'.
China frequently dispatches its research and surveillance vessels to Sri Lanka, a practice that has prompted concerns from India. Indeed, India has consistently raised apprehensions over the visits of Chinese vessels to Sri Lanka.
In August of the current year, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived in Sri Lanka for a two-day visit. It was reported that the ship's arrival had been delayed due to concerns raised by India.
In August of the preceding year, a similar visit by the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, 'Yuan Wang 5,' which arrived in the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota, triggered strong reactions from India. There were concerns in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems potentially conducting surveillance of Indian defense installations during its journey to the Sri Lankan port. Eventually, after a substantial delay, Sri Lanka permitted the ship to dock at the strategically important southern port of Hambantota, which is under construction by a Chinese company.
It's important to note that Sri Lanka regards both India and China as equally significant partners in its efforts to restructure its external debt, as it grapples with a severe financial crisis. China stands as one of the top creditors to Sri Lanka, with the nation owing USD 7.1 billion to bilateral creditors, including a significant USD 3 billion to China.
Sri Lanka encountered an unprecedented financial crisis in 2022, regarded as the most severe since its independence from Britain in 1948, primarily due to a significant shortage of foreign exchange reserves.
Â
