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Tag: Hambantota port

  • India monitoring Chinese vessel docked in Sri Lanka; Chinese envoy to Colombo says ‘This is life’

    External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday stated that New Delhi was monitoring “very closely” the developments within the neighbourhood. The response was to a query on the Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang 5 having docked in Hambantota port in Sri Lanka regardless of India elevating objections.

    “What happens in our neighbourhood, any developments which have a bearing on our security obviously are of an interest to us,” Jaishankar stated whereas talking on the ninth India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting in Bangkok.

    “I think a spokesman had said some time ago, we obviously monitor any development, which has a bearing on our interests very, very carefully. So, I think I will leave it at that,” he added.

    This comes a day after the Chinese ship docked on the port after Sri Lankan authorities granted the vessel entry to the port from August 16 to 22 on situation that it’s going to maintain the Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on inside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka and no scientific analysis to be performed in Sri Lankan waters.

    However, the Chinese ship bearing a pink and white banner learn “Long Live China and Sri Lanka friendship” with the Chinese envoy to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong standing on the dock to obtain the vessel.

    Speaking to reporters at Hambantota port, when requested in regards to the delays and India’s issues, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong stated, “Everybody knows, I don’t need to explain.”

    On the delay within the arrival of the ship, he stated, “I don’t know Maybe this is life This is not the first time that this kind of vessel has visited Sri Lanka. In 2014, this type of Chinese vessel visited Colombo. It is very natural. Hope our media friends will tell the objective of the issues.”

    There have been experiences that after Sri Lanka refused entry to the Chinese ship, the Sri Lankan administration needed to do a U-turn given the stress by Beijing to permit the vessel else there could be no help from China for the IMF bailout bundle that Colombo is searching for and additional curtailment of bilateral monetary assist which Beijing has not been very forthcoming with anyway.

    As a face-saver, authorities spokesman Bandula Gunawardena advised reporters over the weekend, “We are granting the same (port) facilities that we extend to all countries All countries are important to us.”

    However, either side are tightlipped on what made Sri Lanka change its determination. The ship, which was to dock on August 11, reached Hambantota on August 16. The vessel will stay on the port for six days for refuelling and replenishment of provides.

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  • Ship docked at port, China retains mum on extending monetary help to debt-ridden Sri Lanka

    China on Tuesday docked its monitoring and satellite tv for pc assist vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka’s strategic southern port of Hambantota. The arrival of the ship, which was earlier deferred by the Sri Lankan authorities over alleged considerations raised by India, led to speculations of China extending monetary help to debt-strapped Sri Lanka.

    However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin parried questions by the media over extending monetary assist to Sri Lanka, which went bankrupt after defaulting on USD 51 billion in international debt — the vast majority of which was from China.

    Replying to a query about whether or not China is contemplating offering the much-needed monetary help to Sri Lanka contemplating its dying financial system, Wang mentioned, “As we have stressed many times, as Sri Lanka’s friendly neighbour, China feels deeply for the economic and social difficulties facing Sri Lanka at the moment”.

    “China has been doing its utmost to support and help Sri Lanka pull through the difficulties. This is what we have been doing and what we will continue to do,” PTI quoted him as saying.

    China is the principle creditor of Sri Lanka and has invested closely within the nation’s infrastructure.

    While China has claimed to offer USD 73 million in help and shipments of rice to the nation, it has maintained a gentle silence on Colombo’s request for a bailout package deal.

    In 2017, Sri Lanka leased the Hambantota Port to China Merchant Port Holdings for 99 years after Colombo was unable to maintain its mortgage compensation commitments. The port has been developed largely with Chinese loans.

    DOCKING OF SHIP DOESN’T AFFECT ANY COUNTRY: CHINA

    China has reiterated its stand that the docking of its ‘high-tech analysis vessel’ Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port won’t have an effect on the safety of any nation. In an obvious jibe at India, China mentioned that such a transfer shouldn’t be “obstructed” by any “third party”.

    On Tuesday, Yuan Wang 5 docked at Sri Lanka’s strategic southern port of Hambantota regardless of considerations raised by India and the United States. The arrival of the ship, which was scheduled for August 11-17, was deferred by the Sri Lankan authorities after India allegedly raised objections. Sri Lanka later granted the Chinese vessel to berth at its port and it’ll not keep in Lankan waters from August 16-22.

    Also Read | Why docking of Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka port is harmful for India

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin mentioned the actions of its high-tech analysis vessel won’t have an effect on the safety of any nation.

    “They do not affect the security and economic interests of any country and should not be obstructed by any third party,” PTI quoted Wang as saying.

    “I want to stress again that the marine scientific research activities of the Yuan Wang-5 ship are consistent with international law and international customary practice,” he added.

    India is anxious that the ship’s monitoring methods would try and eavesdrop on its safety installations within the peninsula. The US’s Defence Department has additionally mentioned that the ship is underneath the command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and may very well be used to trace satellite tv for pc and missile launches.

    (With inputs from PTI)

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  • Why docking of Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka port is harmful for India

    China’s ‘twin use spy’ vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on Tuesday regardless of objections raised by India. The monitoring and satellite tv for pc help vessel will keep in Sri Lankan waters from August 16-22.

    On July 12, Sri Lanka’s overseas ministry had first cleared the arrival of Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota Port. However, the Chinese vessel’s go to to Hambantota Port, initially scheduled for August 11 and 17, was deferred after India raised objections with the Sri Lanka authorities.

    How harmful is Chinese spy ship Yuan Wang 5 docked on the Sri Lankan port? @gauravcsawant tells us. #5iveLive #Hambantota #SriLanka #China (@Shivaroor) pic.twitter.com/wmV4G9guEB

    — IndiaAt this time (@IndiaAt this time) August 16, 2022

    China refuted India’s declare and acknowledged that the go to by its ship was just for provides and refuelling. The Sri Lankan authorities lastly cleared the arrival of the Chinese vessel between August 16 and 22.

    It should be famous that China has taken Hambantota Port for a 99-year lease as a debt swap with Sri Lanka.

    India is worried about the potential of Yuan Wang 5’s monitoring programs trying to eavesdrop on its installations within the peninsula.

    Here are the the explanation why India is worried in regards to the presence of the Chinese vessel close to its southern tip.

    – The vessel has state-of-the-art know-how, making it one of many latest generations of monitoring ships within the Chinese Navy. It can be utilized for transoceanic aerospace commentary utilizing satellite tv for pc photos.

    – Known for its wonderful report in house and satellite tv for pc monitoring, it has been used for a lot of months now. It can observe the launch of satellites, rocket launchers, and likewise intercontinental ballistic missiles.

    – It may also ship info to monitoring stations in Beijing or different elements of China.

    – It has the potential and the vary to maintain tabs on strategic army institutions, together with nuclear ones, within the peninsular area.

    – Using this vessel, China can accumulate details about India’s army bases within the peninsula, the navy, and nuclear submarine bases in South India, together with Kalpakkam and Kudankulam.

    – Ports in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra on China’s snooping radar will even be inside the radar of this Chinese vessel.

    – Isro’s launch centre in Chandipur may also be snooped upon.

    READ | Chinese analysis ship arrives in Sri Lanka regardless of India, US issues

    WATCH | China Conducts New Military Drills Around Taiwan

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  • Sri Lanka offers nod for docking of Chinese analysis ship at Hambantota port on Aug 16

    The Sri Lankan authorities has allowed a high-tech Chinese analysis ship to dock on the southern port of Hambantota on August 16, official sources right here stated on Saturday.

    The Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tv for pc monitoring ship, ‘Yuan Wang 5’, was earlier scheduled to reach on Thursday and stay on the port till August 17 for replenishment.

    However, the Sri Lankan overseas ministry requested the Chinese embassy right here final week to postpone the vessel’s go to following safety issues raised by India. Subsequently, the vessel didn’t dock on the Hambantota port on Thursday as deliberate.

    According to the sources, the federal government has lastly permitted the ship to dock on the port. It will now arrive on August 16 and stay on the port until August 22, they stated.

    The ship was awaiting clearance to enter from its location 600 nautical miles away east of Hambantota.

    Meanwhile, the matter created a lot controversy within the island nation with the Opposition blaming the federal government for what they termed mishandling of the difficulty.

    The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is taken into account strategically essential for its location. The port has been developed largely with Chinese loans.

    India has stated it fastidiously screens any growth having a bearing on its safety and financial pursuits.

    “We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by this vessel to Hambantota in August,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had stated in New Delhi when requested in regards to the reviews of a proposed go to by a Chinese vessel.

    “The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India’s security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them,” he stated final month.

    New Delhi is worried about the potential of the ship’s monitoring programs making an attempt to listen in on Indian installations whereas being on its approach to the Sri Lankan port.

    India has historically taken a stern view of Chinese navy vessels within the Indian Ocean and has protested such visits with Sri Lanka previously.

    The ties between India and Sri Lanka got here below pressure after Colombo gave permission to a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one in every of its ports in 2014.

    India’s issues have been centered on Hambantota port particularly. In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to China Merchant Port Holdings for 99 years, after Sri Lanka was unable to maintain its mortgage reimbursement commitments, fanning fears over the potential use of the port for navy functions.

    On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated it was “completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called “security concerns” to strain Sri Lanka.

    India on Friday rejected China’s “insinuations” that New Delhi pressured Colombo towards the deliberate go to by the Chinese analysis vessel however asserted that it’ll take choices primarily based on its safety issues.

    External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated Sri Lanka, as a sovereign nation, makes its personal impartial choices and famous that India would make its judgment on its safety issues primarily based on the prevailing scenario within the area, particularly within the border areas.

    China is the principle creditor of Sri Lanka with funding in infrastructure. Debt restructuring of Chinese loans could be key to the island’s success within the ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.

    India, alternatively, has been Sri Lanka’s lifeline within the ongoing financial disaster. It has been on the forefront of extending financial help of almost USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka throughout the 12 months because the island nation is grappling with the worst financial disaster since independence in 1948.

  • Chinese vessel will not dock at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port as scheduled: Report

    Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port authorities stated the high-tech Chinese analysis vessel that was to dock there on Thursday will not attain the port as scheduled, in line with a media report, days after India expressed safety considerations over its presence within the island nation.

    The Harbour Master for the Hambantota Port says no vessel can enter the port with out his permission, the newsfirst.lk web site reported.

    Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tv for pc monitoring ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ won’t attain Hambantota Port on Thursday, it stated.

    Last week, the Sri Lankan international ministry had requested Beijing to defer the arrival of ‘Yuan Wang 5’, which was scheduled to dock on the Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17 attributable to safety considerations expressed by India.

    However, there was no announcement on whether or not or not the vessel will probably be allowed to enter the Hambantota Port.

    ‘Yuan Wang 5’ left China on July 14 and until now it has not entered a single port alongside its route. The vessel has been crusing for about 28 days with zero replenishment.

    On July 12, Sri Lankan international ministry had granted approval for the vessel’s docking on the Hambantota Port. On August 8, the ministry in a letter to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo requested for deferring the deliberate docking of the ship. It, nevertheless, didn’t specify the rationale for such a request. ‘Yuan Wang 5’ had already entered the Indian Ocean by that point.

    The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is taken into account strategically essential for its location. The port has been developed largely with Chinese loans.

    READ | Mystery over Chinese ‘spy’ vessel Yuan Wang 5 continues

    As of Thursday night, Yuan Wang 5 was roughly 600 nautical miles away from the southern port of Hambantota in Sri Lankan waters, the newsfirst.lk report stated. The vessel is now dealing with the Bay of Bengal from the east of Sri Lanka.

    In 2021, a Chinese authorities survey ship — Xiang Yang Hong 03 — was working in the identical area within the Indian Ocean and finishing up a search sample west of Sumatra.

    India has stated it fastidiously screens any growth having a bearing on its safety and financial pursuits.

    “We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by this vessel to Hambantota in August,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had stated in New Delhi when requested in regards to the experiences of a proposed go to by a Chinese vessel.

    “The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India’s security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them,” he stated final month.

    New Delhi is worried about the opportunity of the ship’s monitoring techniques making an attempt to eavesdrop on Indian installations whereas being on its strategy to the Sri Lankan port.

    India has historically taken a stern view of Chinese navy vessels within the Indian Ocean and has protested such visits with Sri Lanka up to now.

    The ties between India and Sri Lanka got here beneath pressure after Colombo gave permission to a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one in all its ports in 2014.

    India’s considerations have been centered on Hambantota port particularly. In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to China Merchant Port Holdings for 99 years, after Sri Lanka was unable to maintain its mortgage reimbursement commitments, fanning fears over the potential use of the port for navy functions.

    China is the principle creditor of Sri Lanka with funding in infrastructure. Debt restructuring of Chinese loans can be key to the island’s success within the ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.

    India, alternatively, has been Sri Lanka’s lifeline within the ongoing financial disaster. It has been on the forefront of extending financial help of almost USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka through the yr because the island nation is grappling with the worst financial disaster since independence in 1948.

    READ | India asks China to cease provocative actions over jap Ladakh in navy talks | Exclusive

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  • Mystery over Chinese ‘spy’ vessel Yuan Wang 5 continues 

    The Chinese analysis and survey vessel that departed on July 13 from Jiangyin, China, for the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka, continues to be surrounded with thriller. According to open-source maritime knowledge, the alleged ‘spy’ ship modified its observe not less than 3 times over previous three days, although it continued to be destined to dock on the Sri Lankan port.

    Earlier media stories recommended that the docking of Yuan Wang 5 was deferred following objections from India. According to Chinese state affiliated publication Global Times, the vessel was transferring to Sri Lanka “for refueling and replenishment” and “was asked by the Sri Lankan government to indefinitely postpone the arrangement under the pressure of India.”

    However, one other China affiliated Sri Lankan consulting agency, Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka, stated that the aim of the vessel was to “conduct space tracking, satellite control and research tracking in the north-western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September”.

    The timing of the ship’s voyage to Sri Lanka following the political disaster within the island nation is one more reason for suspicion. According to a US protection division report, these sorts of ships are operated by the Strategic Support Force of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). According to a Reuters report, “commercial activities in the port were handed to a Chinese company in 2017 on a 99-year lease after the Sri Lankan government could not repay its debt.”

    Path of Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5.

    Hambantota port (Image credit: Google Earth)

    Several common Open-Source Intelligence accounts have been monitoring the current place of the vessel since its voyage started final month.

    UPDATE – YUAN WANG 5 #China’s army analysis ship seems to have altered it course, nonetheless its vacation spot port stays Hambantota, #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/z8KtYiDTXf

    — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) August 10, 2022

    The present observe of the vessel as recorded by Norway-based business maritime intelligence firm Maritime Optima reveals that regardless of preliminary turns, YW5 continued its route in direction of the Hambantota port as on August 11. YW5 stood roughly 638 nautical miles away from the port.

    “The government carefully monitors any developments having a bearing on India’s security and economic interests, and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them,” Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, informed reporters at a press convention in New Delhi.

    The Yuan Wang 5 diverting its course again to Hambantota Port (Image Credits: ShipAtlas)

    Yuan Wang 5 is the third-generation scientific analysis ship of Yuan Wang collection, owned by the PLA. It entered service on September 29, 2007. Built by Jiangnan Shipyard, the credit score of its design goes to the 701st Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). China’s YW collection (the category of ship that Yuan Wang 5 is in) area monitoring ships are additionally concerned in supporting the manned area programme, such because the Shenzhou-13 mission final October.

    ALSO READ | Chinese ship to dock in Hambantota port just for ‘refuelling’: Sri Lankan minister

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  • Sri Lanka asks Chinese ship to go away Hambantota port after radioactive materials discovered on it

    Sri Lanka has requested a Chinese ship to go away the southern port of Hambantota after it was discovered to be carrying radioactive materials, officers stated on Wednesday.
    Anil Ranjith, the highest official of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SLAEA), stated that the ship was on its option to China from the port of Rotterdam when it developed technical difficulties and entered the Hambantota Port.
    The SLAEA stated the vessel had didn’t disclose its radioactive cargo when it docked in on the port.
    The ship was managed by the China Merchants Port Holding Company.
    The principal opposition chief Sajith Premadasa stated in parliament that the Sri Lanka Navy, who’s accountable for the Hambantota port safety, had not been allowed to hold out inspections on the vessel.
    “The local agent of the vessel had not informed the presence of dangerous cargo on board cargo when they sought permission from the Harbour Master to enter the port.”
    Ranjith stated it was a business vessel, which carried radioactive materials – the actual materials served as gasoline for nuclear energy vegetation.

  • Report that Hambantota port deal has second 99-year lease extension runs counter to info: China

    China on Wednesday mentioned a report quoting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that the controversial deal to take over the Hambantota port on a 99-year lease has a provision for its extension for a similar variety of years “runs counter to the facts”.
    Gunawardena has revealed that the earlier Maithripala Sirisena authorities had awarded the Hambantota port to China not just for a 99-year lease but in addition supplied a provision for extension for an additional 99-years.
    “There is a provision for a further 99-year extension of the lease,” he was quoted by the Sri Lankan newspaper Ceylon Today on February 20 as saying.
    “As we are implementing our policies giving much attention to all countries, the previous government made a mistake on the Hambantota port deal when they cancelled the lease and gave it on a longer period of 99 years plus another 99 years once the first term ends,” Gunawardena mentioned.
    When requested whether or not the clause is talked about within the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Gunawardena mentioned, “Yes. It says the 99-year lease can extend for a further period. Which means it can go on for any number of years after 99 years or for another 99 years.”
    The similar every day reported on February 6 that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was revisiting the Hambantota port deal and that after many discussions not too long ago with the Chinese officers, has relocated a Sri Lanka Naval base from the Chinese-controlled space of the port.
    Asked for his response to the report concerning the second 99-year lease clause and Rajapaksa reviewing the deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin mentioned Hambantota port is a landmark challenge collectively undertaken by China and Sri Lanka beneath the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
    To a particular query on whether or not China is against re-negotiate the deal by the Sri Lankan authorities, Wang mentioned “the relevant report runs counter to facts”.
    “The concession agreement relating to the Hambantota Port is a mutually beneficial one signed by China and Sri Lanka in an equal-footed and voluntary spirit through friendly consultations,” he mentioned, including that the “cooperation project will help Sri Lanka to build a new engine driving future economic growth”.
    “We believe this project will play an active role in facilitating Sri Lanka’s economic growth and improving people’s lives,” he informed a media briefing.
    The Ceylon Today every day in its February 6 report quoted the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), General Daya Ratnayake, as saying that President Rajapaksa, after many discussions with the Chinese officers, has relocated a Sri Lanka Naval base from the Chinese-controlled space on the Hambantota port.
    “The Navy Base, according to the agreement, was on the Chinese leased land. The President spoke to the Chinese and took the base to the Sri Lankan side,” Ratnayake mentioned.