Chinese embassy seeks urgent meeting with Sri Lankan authorities; Report

7 August 2022 08:05 pm - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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China's embassy has sought an urgent meeting with senior Sri Lankan authorities after Colombo sought a deferment of the planned docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the strategic Hambantota port over which India raised concerns, sources said.

The Chinese space and satellite tracking research vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' was scheduled to dock at the Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17, weeks after Sri Lanka witnessed a major political turmoil following massive mass protests over the country's worst economic crisis in decades.

A 'third-person' note from Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry to the Chinese embassy in Colombo dated August 5 says "the ministry wishes to request that the arrival of the vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota to be deferred until further consultations are made on the matter." The Chinese embassy in Colombo sought an urgent meeting with the higher Sri Lankan authorities to discuss the issue after receiving the note from the Foreign Ministry seeking a delay in the visit, sources here said.

Some Sri Lankan news portals also reported that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a closed-door meeting with China's Ambassador Qi Zhenhong after Colombo sought a deferment of the planned docking.

But the President's Office denied the media reports over the meeting.

On July 12, amidst the political turmoil in Sri Lanka, the then government approved the Chinese vessel's docking at the Hambantota port.

The Chinese vessel was expected to dock at the Sri Lankan port for "refuelling and 'replenishment' and will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.(PTI)

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Comments - 32

Punchi Sunday, 07 August 2022 08:40 PM

We have a scarcity of fuel, our planes are refuelling in Chennai India. Is this refueling stop a con ? Is the fuel to be supplied to be obtained or in stock using the Indian line of credit or is it going to be from the stocks gifted by Australia?

Peters Sunday, 07 August 2022 08:43 PM

‘Ranil’ to ‘President Xi’— “ Please don’t send the ship as the mighty Indians are angry and threatening us “ ‘President Xi to Ranil’— “ Tell the Indians that Chinese intentions are not military but sincere effort using our surveillance ship to solve the biggest puzzle, DO INDIANS HAVE TOILETS ?

Mo77 Sunday, 07 August 2022 09:26 PM

Sri Lankan officials work very unprofessional manner. If official gave the approval, it cannot change last minutes. There is freedom of navigation. Sri Lanka is servorgian nation and it can allow any kind of ship to the country.

Mahila Monday, 08 August 2022 03:28 AM

Chinese are very intelligent and well informed people and sure are aware of SL situation on Fuel availability? Sure aware of the Dynamic and Fluid situation in respect of fuel situation – well know by now everybody worldwide?? Cannot supply fuel given by ‘donor on good will’, realising the trials and tribulations of SL population and mitigate the supply, for exchange not for USD, Gold or even the Chines currency? Very unlike giving US$ 10 Billion credit at commercial interest with 20% commission to ‘boot’, in the case Norrichholai Stage 1 (always breaking down) Power plant deal?

India first Sunday, 07 August 2022 09:48 PM

Neighbor first! Sri Lanka has only one neighbor which is India. The government should say no to China on this issue. This will definitely annoy China but it cannot be helped. Sri Lanka cannot be talking about sovereignty when we are in debt to foreigners.

RP Sunday, 07 August 2022 10:23 PM

Why is the China sending it's "SPY" ship at this turmoil time? We needed Chinese ships with fuel, medicines and food. Would China allow it's arch-rival Indian Spying or diplomatically speaking, research vehicle to visit it's neighbouring country? I'm fully with India on this!

GHT Sunday, 07 August 2022 10:51 PM

China has every right to enter its harbor leased out to them under an agreement consented with both party, breaching such an accord is a total blunder. No country should point a finger to other country's sovereignty, so, India must understand this theory. Sri Lanka is not a SLAVE for INDIA

Prakur frmceylon Sunday, 07 August 2022 11:31 PM

Pathetic thoughts by Peters! Do you consider yourself as sinhalese while your name suggests otherwise ! Does all Lankans have toilets ,

Patalie Monday, 08 August 2022 10:49 AM

Peters is not a Sinhalese. He is one of those disgruntled Sri Lankans who gets his spikes from writing contradicting controversial idiotic comments. Just one of those mutts with no roots.

Adam Speak Monday, 08 August 2022 12:09 AM

Why is India so scared of a Chinese Ship arriving in Sri Lanka. This shows Inferior Complex and Insecurity on the Indian part. Its all about competition If you have better Spy, Satellite or any other advanced Ship send, We welcome them all if we can learn something from them. Otherwise send all your ships we will provide necessary Trainings by our efficient Tri Force. We have the best Spy Networks in the world. Aragalaya is the best example. Ha Ha

Cholmondeley Pinto Monday, 08 August 2022 01:27 AM

We should also stop all military surveillance ships of India and UDA from entering srilanka waters and stop holding joint exercises with them to be fair for all . If not we must forget being non alignment and openly align with only ISA

Ram Monday, 08 August 2022 02:45 AM

Hambantota Port may belong to China over the 99 year lease. That does not mean that they can enter the country without permission. If I own a seaside house in Australia I cannot come by boat without permission from Australian authorities. Simple as that

Seqi Monday, 08 August 2022 10:03 AM

When the British leased Hong Kong they and all the world's shipping never needed nor sought permission from the lessor, China to enter port.

Ravi Jhon Monday, 08 August 2022 03:58 AM

Bottom line China is gonna be the Number One Superpower by 2030 weather we like it or not we will have to live with it - China aerospace force far too advance they don't have to send spy ship they have already spied the whole world from space - let ship dock in Hambantota create lees problem

Ruwan Monday, 08 August 2022 04:20 AM

Everything that SL does shows the level of incompetence of our leadership. Nothing surprises me anymore.

Mile Revere Monday, 08 August 2022 06:14 AM

Sinopec coming to give fuel, not refuel and who collects that bribe in shameless illegal account

Abeygunaratna Monday, 08 August 2022 06:21 AM

Answer is simple. Just say the Chinese that we don't have fuel for your ship. We ourselves buy from India on credit.

Renuka Monday, 08 August 2022 11:54 AM

It wouldn't matter. The Chinese now control the Hambantota Port on a a 99 year lease agreement signed by yours truly, Ranil Wickremesinghe. They can come and go as they wish.

Derrick Lay Monday, 08 August 2022 07:41 AM

When SriLanka become under obligation to China

Dr. Lucky Samarawickrama Monday, 08 August 2022 07:43 AM

Mr. President please talk to both countries and be neutral and keep both countries as good friends not to envy one and embrace the other.

Hubert Congreve Monday, 08 August 2022 07:45 AM

Cunning RW can handle this matter tactfully than Rajapakshes, as at now he is No. 1 (Fox) in the world.

A.Rajasingam Monday, 08 August 2022 07:50 AM

When the Chinese embassy has requested an urgent meeting with Sri Lankan officials after Colombo requested the postponement of a high-tech Chinese research vessel arriving at Ambantota port. Mahinda Rajapaksa is suspected to be behind this. Mahinda Rajapaksa is a staunch supporter of China. Mahinda Rajapaksa is a co-owner of Shenyang Gotiar Aircraft Manufacturing Company Limited, which is a China operated company. How can Sri Lanka say that the Chinese ship will stop for re-fuelling when Planes re-fuel in Chennai.

JJ Monday, 08 August 2022 08:16 AM

Srilanka should realize that China cannot be any one’s friend , the turmoil that SL faces is a gift from China. India has been fair to SL and now China sending this ship will isolate Sri Lanka from Australia, USA and India . Keep in mind that more than 70% countries in the world do jo trust China and it’s intentions . SL this way will become and colony of China and Pakistan.. Think about it .. Even a smaller country like Maldives/ Mauritius keeps China away though they also have lot on the infrastructure side from China. Wake up SL

Iwazaru Monday, 08 August 2022 08:25 AM

We call this a right royal mess-up. Reaping the results of selling the Hambantota port. Leader Sri Lanka has had with no vision.

sundar Monday, 08 August 2022 09:25 AM

to all those who talk of SL is sovereign and can decide who docks in her port- tell me would China keep quite if an Indian spy ship decides to dock spy in a port in Taiwan for refueling

iThink Monday, 08 August 2022 09:44 AM

When Russia placed missiles in Cuba, America resisted it. It does not mean America was afraid, but the move had security implications to the US. Similarly, spy ships visiting Srilanka have security implications to India. This is not encroaching on the sovereignty of SL.

Jef Monday, 08 August 2022 09:49 AM

When yr in debt you have sold half of the country its like Bridge over trouble water indian ocean should be belongs to India like the Chinese taken over china sea

Sammy Monday, 08 August 2022 10:34 AM

From where is the fuel obtained by Sri Lanka to refuel Chinese ships? Is it supplied by China itself and stored in Sri Lanka for its use?

freddy foxx Monday, 08 August 2022 11:05 AM

Hambantota is a gift to us ungrateful people of this country and China has the right of use its facilities that this research vessel deems necessary and to hell with what our neighbor thinks or says. we are indebted to China. End of story.

Anand Anandakumar Monday, 08 August 2022 12:06 PM

No reason this ship to Sri Lanka, with the kind mid sea refuelling and restocking options available to them. If they want to do research they can do the same in the international waters and no need to come closer to any port.

LankanLover Monday, 08 August 2022 12:15 PM

Seeks Urgent Meeting, Not assistance! this just sums it all!

Walk the Tightrope Monday, 08 August 2022 12:49 PM

Good opportunity for Ranil and the leading lights in our foreign ministry to hone their diplomatic skills and emerge victorious with both parties, India and China, pleased with the outcome. Sirima would have pulled it off.

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Chinese embassy seeks urgent meeting with Sri Lankan authorities; Report

Comments - 32

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