Chinese research vessel ‘SHI YAN 6’ is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka, security concerns to India
Chinese research vessel ‘SHI YAN 6’ is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka, security concerns to India
Colombo: Sri Lanka is currently processing a request by China to allow a research ship to dock in the country, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, a year after a visit by a Chinese spy vessel to the Island nation raised security concerns in India.
“The Chinese embassy here has made an application and the ministry is currently looking at it,” Priyanga Wickramasingha, the foreign ministry spokesperson, told media. No dates have been fixed yet for the visit, she said.
The Chinese research vessel ‘SHI YAN 6’ is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for marine research activities in October.
Described as a Research/Survey Vessel with a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT, the current draught is reported to be 5.3 metres in length overall 90.6 metres and width 17 metres. The media here is abuzz that the foreign office here is in an awkward position about the request due to possible concerns being raised by India.
The vessel is expected to undertake research jointly with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
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