Chinese vessel reaches Sri Lanka China calls Indian concerns senseless

Sri Lanka, on 16 August, has cleared the arrival of Chinese research and survey vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota, a strategic deep-sea port which India refers to as 'India's doorstep'. Indian media has called the vessel as "spy ship."

Yuan Wang, which according to Indian sources, is a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, will dock at Hambantota for a week with effect from 16 August.

According to Indian Ministry of External Affairs, India "carefully monitors any development having bearing on its security and economic interests." China termed India's security concerns over the vessel visit as "senseless" and asked India "not to disturb normal exchanges" between Sri Lanka and China.