China spy ship close to Hambantota port despite “defer” request

TIL Desk/World/Colombo/ Yuan Wang 5, the Chinese research and Survey vessel, continues to proceed to Sri Lanka’s port of Hambantota despite the authorities of the island country asked Beijing to defer the visit, local media reported. On Tuesday, Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it has requested China to defer the visit of the Yuan Wang 5, report said.

However, on Tuesday the vessel increased its speed and reached a point some 600 nautical miles away from the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota. It is now reported that the vessel abruptly reduced its speed to 5 knots late last night, changing direction towards the Andaman Islands. However, again on Wednesday morning, the Yuan Wang 5 changed back to its original course.

The vessel that can travel at speed above any other standard vessel had reduced its speed to 4 Knots. Earlier, on Monday, in a statement, the Sri Lankan foreign ministry said the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 was scheduled to dock at Chinese-leased Hambantota port on August 11 for refuelling and leave on August 17.

The foreign ministry further stated it wishes to reaffirm the enduring friendship and excellent relations between Sri Lanka and China which remain on a solid foundation, as reiterated most recently by the two Foreign Ministers Ali Sabry and Wang Yi at a bilateral meeting in Phnom Penh on August 4.