COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has asked China to defer a port call of a scientific research ship after security concerns were reportedly raised by neighboring India.
The Foreign Ministry ministry said in a statement Monday night that the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 was scheduled to arrive at southern Hambantota port on Thursday and stay until Aug. 17 for replenishment purposes, but “in the light of the need for further consultations” the government asked the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to defer to ship’s arrival.
The ministry did not give any specific reason but India’s security concerns over the presence of the ship close to its southern borders could be a likely reason.
India’s foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said earlier that India was aware of a planned visit by the vessel and that it carefully monitors any development that affects its security and economic interests and will take all measures to safeguard them.
China has been vying to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean nation, which sits along one of the busiest shipping routes and which India considers part of its strategic backyard.
India has provided crucial assistance to Sri Lanka including food, fuel, medicines and cooking gas as it struggles with an economic meltdown amid a severe foreign currency crisis. At the same time, China’s agreement to restructure its infrastructure loans to Sri Lanka is vital for the country to be able to reach a bailout program with the International Monetary Fund.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters on Monday that it is “completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called ‘security concerns’ to pressure Sri Lanka.”
“As Sri Lanka grapples with economic and political difficulties, to grossly interfere in Sri Lanka’s normal exchange and cooperation with other countries is to exploit its vulnerability, which is morally irresponsible and against the basic norms governing international relations,” he said.
“We urge the relevant parties to see China’s marine scientific research activities in a rational light and stop disrupting normal exchange and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka,” he said.
China backed Sri Lanka during a civil war with ethnic Tamils rebels and defended it from accusations of gross human rights abuses. Since the end of war in 2009, China has lent Sri Lanka billions of dollars for development projects, some of which have been criticized for having little practical use….
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