Chinese ship arrives at Lanka port amid concerns
August 16, 2022  09:17
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A high-tech Chinese research ship docked at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port this morning amidst India's concern over the vessel's presence in its neighbourhood.

The Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, 'Yuan Wang 5', was earlier scheduled to arrive on August 11 and remain at the port until August 17 for replenishment.

India's concerns have been focused on Hambantota port in particular. In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to China Merchant Port Holdings for 99 years, after Sri Lanka was unable to keep its loan repayment commitments, fanning fears over the potential use of the port for military purposes.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Sri Lanka, as a sovereign country, makes its own independent decisions and noted that India would make its judgment on its security concerns based on the prevailing situation in the region, especially in the border areas.
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