Sri Lanka’s new government on Tuesday (Oct 8) allowed a Chinese navy ship to dock in Colombo, a move likely to raise eyebrows in New Delhi. The move came despite Sri Lanka’s ban on foreign research vessels. However, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath later tried to allay concerns saying the permission was given because it was a “training vessel and not a research craft”.

“There is no change in the policy regarding research vessels,” the foreign minister told reporters.

Sri Lankan Navy earlier said the Chinese vessel, with 130 crew aboard, will stay docked till Friday (Oct 11). It added the crew will visit “tourist attractions of the country” as well as offer “briefings” to Sri Lankan sailors.

India looks askance upon such visits by Chinese vessels in its neighbourhood amid concerns about Beijing’s increasing influence on Sri Lanka and Maldives. Following India’s objections, Colombo last year denied permission to China’s Xiang Yang Hong 3 research ship to enter its waters.

On Tuesday, foreign minister Herath said Sri Lanka will follow a balanced approach, where no country is given preferential treatment.

“We are doing business with China just as we are doing business with India,” he added.

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He also confirmed a visit by a Chinese military training vessel to Sri Lanka later this month, saying it was a part of regular diplomatic engagements. “The ship is scheduled to arrive in the port of Colombo this month,” he noted on Tuesday.

The new government took charge in Colombo last month, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying he doesn’t want to be sandwiched between giants India and China.

Dissanayake, in his interview with Monocle magazine, emphasised that under his leadership, the country will avoid being drawn into geopolitical rivalries.

“We won’t be a competitor in that geopolitical fight, nor will we be aligned to any party. We don’t want to be sandwiched, especially between China and India. Both countries are valued friends and, under an NPP government, we expect them to become close partners. We also want to maintain relations with the EU, the Middle East and Africa,” the president had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka’s new government on Tuesday (Oct 8) allowed a Chinese navy ship to dock in Colombo, a move likely to raise eyebrows in New Delhi. The move came despite Sri Lanka’s ban on foreign research vessels.

Sri Lanka’s new government on Tuesday (Oct 8) allowed a Chinese navy ship to dock in Colombo, a move likely to raise eyebrows in New Delhi. The move came despite Sri Lanka’s ban on foreign research vessels. However, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath later tried to allay concerns saying the permission was given because it was a “training vessel and not a research craft”. “There is no change in the policy regarding research vessels,” the foreign minister told reporters. Sri Lankan Navy earlier said the Chinese vessel, with 130 crew aboard, will stay docked till Friday (Oct 11). It added the crew will visit “tourist attractions of the country” as well as offer “briefings” to Sri Lankan sailors. India looks askance upon such visits by Chinese vessels in its neighbourhood amid concerns about Beijing’s increasing influence on Sri Lanka and Maldives. Following India’s objections, Colombo last year denied permission to China’s Xiang Yang Hong 3 research ship to enter its waters. On Tuesday, foreign minister Herath said Sri Lanka will follow a balanced approach, where no country is given preferential treatment. “We are doing business with China just as we are doing business with India,” he added. Also read: Deflation returns to Sri Lanka after 29 years: Boon or Bane? He also confirmed a visit by a Chinese military training vessel to Sri Lanka later this month, saying it was a part of regular diplomatic engagements. “The ship is scheduled to arrive in the port of Colombo this month,” he noted on Tuesday. The new government took charge in Colombo last month, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying he doesn’t want to be sandwiched between giants India and China. Dissanayake, in his interview with Monocle magazine, emphasised that under his leadership, the country will avoid being drawn into geopolitical rivalries. “We won’t be a competitor in that geopolitical fight, nor will we be aligned to any party. We don’t want to be sandwiched, especially between China and India. Both countries are valued friends and, under an NPP government, we expect them to become close partners. We also want to maintain relations with the EU, the Middle East and Africa,” the president had said. (With inputs from agencies)

Prez Dissanayake’s ‘balanced approach’ under scrutiny as Colombo welcomes Chinese vessel

Beijing warned the Philippines on Tuesday (Apr 30) to stop provocative actions after Manila said the Chinese coast guard used water cannon on two of its vessels in the South China Sea.

Manila said that the China Coast Guard fired a water cannon at two of its vessels, damaging one of them, during a patrol near a reef off the Southeast Asian country.

The incident was reported near Scarborough Shoal, a contested feature in the South China Sea.

The Philippines considers it within its exclusive economic zone, an area where it has special rights regarding resources. However, China also claims the shoal to be its part.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-china-sea-philippines-slams-china-for-stirring-up-trouble-697395" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/south-china-sea-philippines-slams-china-for-stirring-up-trouble-697395&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwji-6CwlumFAxUeS2wGHWtqDoMQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3-RoOb3uk5ZlsNfQQkdLA_&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-china-sea-philippines-slams-china-for-stirring-up-trouble-697395" target="_blank">South China Sea: Philippines slams China for 'stirring up trouble'</a>

"This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels," a statement issued by the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The Philippine statement further alleges that the Chinese Coast Guard re-established a 380-metre&nbsp;barrier at the entrance to the shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen, effectively blocking access to the waters within.

China and the Philippines in the past had said they would seek better communications and management around skirmishes in the vast South China Sea, but tensions have increased recently.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-slams-china-over-incidents-in-south-china-sea-against-philippines-668718" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-slams-china-over-incidents-in-south-china-sea-against-philippines-668718&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwji-6CwlumFAxUeS2wGHWtqDoMQFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw23DUs5mxHOlHzOFCngGjiL&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-slams-china-over-incidents-in-south-china-sea-against-philippines-668718" target="_blank">UK slams China over incidents in&nbsp;South China Sea&nbsp;against Philippines</a>

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis.

(With inputs from agencies)

Beijing warned the Philippines on Tuesday (Apr 30) to stop provocative actions after Manila said the Chinese coast guard used water cannon on two of its vessels in the South China Sea.

Beijing warned the Philippines on Tuesday (Apr 30) to stop provocative actions after Manila said the Chinese coast guard used water cannon on two of its vessels in the South China Sea. Manila said that the China Coast Guard fired a water cannon at two of its vessels, damaging one of them, during a patrol near a reef off the Southeast Asian country. The incident was reported near Scarborough Shoal, a contested feature in the South China Sea. The Philippines considers it within its exclusive economic zone, an area where it has special rights regarding resources. However, China also claims the shoal to be its part. Also read: South China Sea: Philippines slams China for 'stirring up trouble' "This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels," a statement issued by the Philippine Coast Guard said. The Philippine statement further alleges that the Chinese Coast Guard re-established a 380-metre barrier at the entrance to the shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen, effectively blocking access to the waters within. China and the Philippines in the past had said they would seek better communications and management around skirmishes in the vast South China Sea, but tensions have increased recently. Also read: UK slams China over incidents in South China Sea against Philippines China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis. (With inputs from agencies)

China tells Philippines to halt 'provocative actions' in South China Sea after shoal standoff

India has shared its concerns with Sri Lanka multiple times on the issue of maritime security. But, still, a new Chinese marine research vessel, Shi Yan 6, is expected to dock at Colombo and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka by October this year AND is likely to stay till November 2023.

Is Sri Lanka veering towards China?

Sri Lanka now allying with India's serious concerns and what would, of course, be viewed in Beijing as a serious num. Sri Lanka's foreign minister Ali Sabry has now underlined that Colombo has not given any permission to a Chinese vessel to dock the Humbunta port adding that India's security concerns are very important to Colombo.

Sri Lanka's FM: Did not give permission to Chinese Vessel to dock

Sources report that a new Chinese Marine research vessel Shi Yan 6 is expected to dock at Colombo by October this year. Sri Lankan researchers to conduct scientific expeditions.

Chinese vessel prepares to dock to Colombo

The Chinese vessel heading to Sri Lanka's Hambanthota port has been asked to postpone its trip, this comes after India raised concern over presence of China's alleged spy vessel in Indian ocean, the Lankan government asked China to defer its vessel trip.

Sri Lanka asks China to defer vessel's trip after India raises concerns

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