image source,Getty Images
Yuanwang 5 docked at Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka from August 16 to 22.
After India expressed its concerns, Sri Lanka agreed to dock the Chinese survey ship Yuanwang 5 at the Indian Ocean port of Hambantota at the southern end on August 16.
The Chinese scientific research ship will dock here until August 22. According to Chinese media reports, the Yuanwang 5 was previously delayed due to India’s “blocking” of the port’s renewal plan.
“Yuanwang No. 5” departed from Jiangyin Port, China, and was originally scheduled to arrive at Hambantota Port, operated by China Merchants Group, and was leased for 99 years on August 11.
Regarding the controversy caused by the docking of the Yuanwang 5 in Sri Lanka, the Chinese BBC has sorted out the following four points:
Chinese survey ships dock in Sri Lanka, raising US and Indian concerns
Why are India and the United States worried and worried?
The Yuanwang 5 is docked in Sri Lanka this time, at a time when the Indian Ocean island nation is experiencing political turmoil and the economy is on the verge of collapse due to a debt crisis.
The Indian side expressed its keen interest in the docking of the Yuanwang 5 in Sri Lanka.
At the end of July, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagshi said that India would closely monitor “any developments affecting India’s security and economic interests”. Later, in response to reports that India had put pressure on Sri Lanka to have the Yuanwang 5 dock in Hambantota port, Bagchi denied, saying that India did not accept the “hint” and that Sri Lanka was a sovereign country. Decisions can be made independently.
Some Indian media have referred to the ship as a “spy ship” that may monitor Indian military installations.
According to the US “Washington Post” report, in addition to India, US officials have also put pressure on Sri Lanka.
On August 11, The Washington Post reported that “China’s 730-foot satellite observation ship has become a source of rising tension and a symbol of the growing geopolitical rivalry between India, the United States and China over Sri Lanka.”
The US Department of Defense said Yuanwang-5 is part of the People’s Liberation Army’s Strategic Support Force and has the function of monitoring the launch of missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry replied that the scientific research vessel “Yuanwang 5” carries out marine scientific research activities in line with international law and common international practices, does not affect the security and economic interests of any country, and does not need third-party interference.
image source,Google Maps
Hambantota Port is located at the southern tip of Sri Lanka, overlooking the vast Indian Ocean. In 2017, China Merchants Group bought a 70% stake in the port and leased the port and surrounding land for 99 years.
According to a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka asked China to postpone its flight to the port on August 5, and since then Sri Lanka has held “extensive high-level consultations with all parties”.
The statement said that the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the docking permit for Yuanwang 5 after considering all the materials.
At a press conference on August 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said, “With active cooperation with Sri Lanka, the Chinese research vessel Yuanwang 5 has successfully docked at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Chenhong was present. At the site. He presided over the ceremony Welcoming. The President of Sri Lanka, on behalf of Senator Velasikara, as well as more than a dozen heads of parties and heads of friendly groups attended.”
Wang Wenbin said that over the years, China and Sri Lanka have maintained close cooperation in marine scientific research.
Sri Lanka seeking ‘elusive’ equilibrium?
By Vikas Pandey, BBC News Delhianalysis says,The controversy over the ship reflects the diplomatic dilemma Sri Lanka faces each time it has to choose between India and China.
While India denies putting any pressure on Sri Lanka over the ship, India has indirectly commented on its views on the ship, which aims to “closely monitor any developments affecting India’s security and economic interests”.
Delhi has been at the forefront of providing aid to Sri Lanka to help it weather the economic crisis in recent months, but the latest controversy may cast a shadow over the aid effort.
Many in the diplomatic community in Delhi are wondering if the new government in Colombo is once again trying to find this elusive balance between India and China.
It will be interesting to watch what the Delhi leader has to say on this issue in the coming days, in private and public statements with the Sri Lankan leader.
What are the controversies over the port of Hambantota?
Sri Lanka is located at the busy crossroads connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, and enjoys an important strategic location, and in recent years, China and India have made efforts to expand their influence in the country.
Located in the capital of Hambantota District in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Hambantota Port has been under construction since 2007 with the help of China and started operations in 2012.
In July 2017, Sri Lanka signed an agreement with China, purchasing China Merchants Holdings Port Co., Ltd. 70% stake in Hambantota Port and leased the port and surrounding land for 99 years.
The location of the Hambantota port is unique, with the Strait of Malacca in the east and the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea in the west.
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the construction of the Hambantota port, with one having to agree to lease the port after China was accused of trapping Sri Lanka in debt. In addition, the use of charter ports in China always arouses high vigilance from neighboring countries, especially India.
Sri Lankan officials say security at the port is the entire responsibility of the Sri Lankan government, which has asked China not to allow the port to be used for military purposes.
The Chinese side emphasized that the main objective of Hambantota Port is to prepare for the increase of Chinese maritime trade, which could provide another route or stop for Chinese ships sailing in the Indian Ocean.
image source,Environmental Protection Agency
What is “Yuanwang 5”?
“Yuanwang 5” is a third-generation ocean survey ship independently designed and developed by China, and Yuanwang is the generic name of China’s fleet of space ocean observation and missile transportation.
The “Yuanwang 5” was built in 2007, 222 meters long, 25 meters wide and 40 meters high, China is known as a space survey ship that has reached the world’s advanced level, and has participated in it. In China’s Shenzhou manned spacecraft and Chang’e series lunar probe series in recent years. and Tianwen-1 Mars rover, Beidou Astronautics and other aeronautical engineering projects in the sea monitoring and control.
Before the ship “Yuanwang 5” docked in the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Chinese media reported that the ship was responsible for the marine measurement and control of the launch of the experimental unit “Wentian”.
On July 24, when the Chinese experimental unit Wentian was launched from Wenchang, Hainan, the “Yuanwang 5” was already waiting in the designated sea area to track the launch mode.
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