A year after India expressed concerns over a Chinese ‘spy’ ship in Sri Lanka, another ‘research’ vessel is headed for visit to the island nation.
Shi Yan 6 ship has entered the Indian Ocean and is expected to reach Sri Lanka next month to carry out research along with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
As per reports, the ship will make trip to the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Hambantota for a span of 17 days to conduct an ocean survey.
The United States has already raised concerns with Sri Lanka with Under Secretary Victoria Nuland meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session and raising concerns about the upcoming visit of the Chinese vessel. Indian officials have also expressed concerns to Colombo.
All About SHI YAN 6
According to Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, Shi Yan 6 is a “scientific research vessel” crewed by 60 that carries out oceanography, marine geology and marine ecology tests.
The vessel has a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT and the current draught is reported to be 5.3 metres in length overall 90.6 metres and width 17 metres.
As per reports, Shi Yan 6 was a key project of China’s 13th Five Year Plan for science and education infrastructure construction. The vessel was built in 2020 and successfully conducted its maiden voyage to the eastern Indian Ocean in 2022.
According to China, the research ship is out on an “expeditionary voyage” in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean, after it had left Guangzhou in China’s Guangdong Province.
Why It Has raised Concerns?
China has often used Sri Lankan ports for docking its surveillance ships raising concerns for India over spying of latter’s strategic assets in the Indian Ocean Region.
Chinese “research ships” like Shi Yan 6 often have “dual purposes”. While the primary aim is scientific exploration, the vessels also have geopolitical purposes for which they are also deployed.
India has on several occasions said that it considers the Indian Ocean Region as an area of traditional influence and will not tolerate any challenges to its sovereignty and legitimate strategic interests.
The Chinese ships also pose risks to the security of the Kudankulam and Kalpakkam nuclear reactors, as well as for the Chennai and Thoothukudi ports, which are in close proximity of the Sri Lankan port.
The Sri Lanka’s defence ministry had cleared the visit of the Chinese ship while the foreign ministry is yet to comment publicly on the matter. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry last month said it is currently processing a request by China to allow the research ship to dock in the country.
“The Chinese embassy here has made an application and the ministry is currently looking at it,” Priyanga Wickramasingha, the foreign ministry spokesperson, had said.
Why China Deploys Ships in Sri Lanka
China despatches its research/surveillance vessels to Sri Lanka on a regular basis. In August this year, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived in the country on a two-day visit. It was reported that the arrival of the 129-metre-long ship was delayed due to concerns raised by India.
In August last year, a Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, ‘Yuan Wang 5’, arrived in Hambantota amid security concerns raised by New Delhi.
According to reports, Yuan Wang 5 is a dual-use ship, with an ability to spy on Indian military establishment in the area. The ship has been described as research and survey vessel by international shipping and analytical sites.
Sri Lanka developed the Hambantota port, leasing it out to China for 99 years in 2017. Moreover, the Sri Lankan government has little control over the administration of the Hambantota Port.
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