Chinese research ship to visit Sri Lanka, US raises concerns: What has happened, and why

Last year, India had objected to a Chinese ship docking in the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota.

Why is the Chinese ship coming to Sri Lanka? Why does India oppose this? What has happened in similar situations earlier?

What is Shi Yan 6?

According to AFP, Chinese state broadcaster CGTN said the Shi Yan 6 is a “scientific research vessel” with a 60-member crew, which carries out oceanography, marine geology and marine ecology tests. Beijing had sought Colombo’s permission to dock the ship last month, but the final date and port have seemingly not been decided.

PTI reported that the Chinese research vessel is expected in the island country in October to carry out research along with Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

“Described as a Research/Survey Vessel with a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT [deadweight tonnage], the current draught is reported to be 5.3 metres in length overall 90.6 metres and width 17 metres,” said PTI.

Why does India object to Chinese vessels docking in Sri Lanka?

India considers Chinese ships docked so close to its mainland a security threat, and suspects they could be used for snooping, even when their stated aim is scientific research.

The US too had earlier this year shot down what it called a Chinese spy balloon floating over its territory, while Beijing said it was a weather balloon.

What happened last year?

India raised objections to a Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship staying at Hambantota port on Sri Lanka’s southern coast for a week. While Sri Lanka had earlier asked China to postpone the arrival of the hi-tech vessel following Indian concerns, it later made a U-turn and allowed the docking.

The vessel, Yuan Wang 5, is used to track satellite, rocket and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches. India had feared that the Yuan Wang 5’s significant aerial reach — reportedly around 750 km — would mean that several ports in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh would be on China’s radar, and several vital installations in south India could be snooped upon.

China had insisted that “the marine scientific research activities of the Yuan Wang 5 are consistent with international law and international common practice… They do not affect the security and the economic interests of any country and should not be obstructed by any third party.”

Before the Yuan Wang 5 row, ties between India and Sri Lanka had earlier come under strain over Colombo’s permission for a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock at one of its ports in 2014.

How has Sri Lanka reacted to US comments?

After Nuland voiced her concerns, reported PTI, Sabry told her that as a neutral country, Sri Lanka had worked out a Standard Operating Procedure to be followed by foreign ships and aircraft carrying out any activity in its territory, and as part of their “even-handed approach”, they could not “exclude China”.