On August 11, the ship was originally supposed to land at Hambantota port, supported by China, for "replenishment."
Digital Desk: Following concerns raised by both India and the US with the Sri Lankan government on the entry of the "military" ship, China's satellite tracking vessel Yuan Wang 5, which arrived on Tuesday in Hambantota Port in southern Sri Lanka.
The ship was initially slated to arrive in the Hambantota port, which is supported by China, on August 11 for "replenishment," according to officials. Its delivery was delayed by five days at the request of Sri Lankan authorities, which purportedly cited Indian security concerns to China.
China has denounced New Delhi's fears as "unjustified" and "morally irresponsible," and has "urged" New Delhi to "not interrupt normal relations" between the two nations. "Insinuations" that Sri Lanka was under pressure were "rejected" by New Delhi.
Even though Colombo finds itself in a sticky diplomatic situation managing the conflicting geostrategic interests of India and China in the island nation, the vessel's arrival and nearly week-long stay at the southern port point to Sri Lanka's strong ties with China. In response to the US-China tensions in Taiwan, Colombo has declared that it firmly supports the "One China Policy."
At a formal welcome to the warship on Tuesday morning, five senior MPs, including several who identify as "independent" in parliament, were present, in addition to Chinese officials. On the upper deck of the ship, the crew was holding a red flag that read, "Long live China and Sri Lanka friendship." The change occurs a day after India gave Sri Lanka a Dornier marine surveillance plane to improve its "security capabilities."
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