Chinese spy ship docks in Sri Lanka, its officials taunt ‘This is life’
Earlier Sri Lanka had deferred the ship amidst concerns raised by India.
China and its leader are already known for planning and carrying out sensitive tasks much to the disapproval of both its neighbouring as well as distant nations. At a time when China’s relations with the United States are already sore over Taiwan, the Chinese delegation is leaving no chances to lock horns with India.
The state-of-the-art Chinese vessel docked at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka which the Chinese have leased for 99-year as barter to the island nation’s incompetence in loan repayment commitments. Surprisingly, the move comes just days after the ship was deferred by Colombo in accordance with India’s concern over the ship’s presence in its vicinity. The ship was initially scheduled to arrive at the port on August 11.
The presence of the ship so close to the Indian shore becomes all the important since the vessel in question ‘Yuan Wang 5’ is a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship capable of keeping a radar on several strategically important ports of India such as those in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh with its 750-kilometre strong aerial reach.
In response, the Sri Lankan officials have given clearance to access the port for replenishment purposes only for a week starting from August 16 with the condition of keeping the Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka and under no circumstances any scientific research should be conducted in Sri Lankan waters.
In its defence, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry Wang Wenbin said that the ship is conducting scientific research in accordance with international law and that it does not affect the security and economic interests of any country and should not be interfered with by third parties hinting at India.
The event became of interest even more as Beijing’s ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong was present at the port to welcome the spy ship. The ambassador refuted the claims of creating a controversy by the arrival of Yuan Wang 5 and addressed it as a very natural visit. Answering to India’s apprehensions, Zhenhong in a wicked manner said, “I don’t know, you should ask the Indian friends. I don’t know. Maybe this is life.”
Concurrently, India will surely remain on its toes until the Yuan Wang class ship leaves the port as the ship is credited for its ability to track satellite, rocket and intercontinental ballistic missile launches other than its role in land-based tracking stations.
