Over a year after a Chinese ship docked at Sri Lanka port, another one dubbed a "geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6", arrived in the South Asian country on Wednesday (Oct 26), media reports said adding that the ship will remain there till October 28. The so-called scientific vessel, often labeled as a "dual-use spy ship," reportedly docked at the Colombo port amid concerns flagged by Indian and US authorities.&nbsp;

In an earlier article, WION explained <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-chinas-scientific-ships-can-pave-way-to-chinese-submarine-deployment-near-india-643123">how China's "scientific" ships can pave the way to Chinese submarine deployment near India.&nbsp;</a>

This is the second time China's "research" vessel has arrived in Sri Lanka. Chinese white elephant projects, like Sri Lanka's leased out Hambantota port to Beijing, reportedly pushed the country into an economic collapse last year and triggered massive protests.&nbsp;About 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s loans are from China.&nbsp;

The last ship arrived in Sri Lanka in August last year. Earlier, China’s Yuan Wang 5 sailed into Hambantota.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-economy-delivers-strong-q3-growth-despite-looming-challenges-report-651832">US economy delivers strong Q3 growth despite looming challenges: Report &nbsp;</a>

<h2>Concerns by India, US&nbsp;</h2>

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar earlier expressed concerns over China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean.&nbsp;

In September, Jaishankar at an event said, "Last 20 -25 years, there has been a steady increase in the Chinese naval presence and activity in the Indian Ocean, but there has been a very sharp increase in the size of Chinese naval. When you have a very much bigger navy, that navy is going to be visible in terms of its deployment somewhere.”

Even US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland while meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session flagged concerns over Shi Yan 6.

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China is already infamous for its alleged spying activities overseas. Shi Yan 6 was given permission to dock at Colombo port for replenishment purposes till October 28.&nbsp;

"Shi Yan 6 was given permission to enter the (Colombo) port for replenishment," the Sri Lankan foreign ministry spokesperson&nbsp;Kapila Fonseka reportedly&nbsp;said.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-displaced-gazans-shows-signs-of-disease-from-over-crowding-poor-sanitation-651810">Israel-Palestine war: Displaced Gazans shows signs of disease from over crowding, poor sanitation</a>

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Originally, the Chinese vessel was supposed to conduct its research along with Sri Lankan state institutions, however, this permission was not granted. “The particular permission is very clear,” Fonseka said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Over a year after a Chinese ship docked at Sri Lanka port, another one dubbed a "geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6", arrived in the South Asian country on Wednesday (Oct 26), media reports said adding that the ship will remain there till October 28.

Over a year after a Chinese ship docked at Sri Lanka port, another one dubbed a "geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6", arrived in the South Asian country on Wednesday (Oct 26), media reports said adding that the ship will remain there till October 28. The so-called scientific vessel, often labeled as a "dual-use spy ship," reportedly docked at the Colombo port amid concerns flagged by Indian and US authorities. In an earlier article, WION explained how China's "scientific" ships can pave the way to Chinese submarine deployment near India. This is the second time China's "research" vessel has arrived in Sri Lanka. Chinese white elephant projects, like Sri Lanka's leased out Hambantota port to Beijing, reportedly pushed the country into an economic collapse last year and triggered massive protests. About 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s loans are from China. The last ship arrived in Sri Lanka in August last year. Earlier, China’s Yuan Wang 5 sailed into Hambantota. Also Read | US economy delivers strong Q3 growth despite looming challenges: Report Concerns by India, US Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar earlier expressed concerns over China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean. In September, Jaishankar at an event said, "Last 20 -25 years, there has been a steady increase in the Chinese naval presence and activity in the Indian Ocean, but there has been a very sharp increase in the size of Chinese naval. When you have a very much bigger navy, that navy is going to be visible in terms of its deployment somewhere.” Even US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland while meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session flagged concerns over Shi Yan 6. Also Read | Israel-Hamas war: Social media scrambles to scrub spoof videos mocking Palestinians China is already infamous for its alleged spying activities overseas. Shi Yan 6 was given permission to dock at Colombo port for replenishment purposes till October 28. "Shi Yan 6 was given permission to enter the (Colombo) port for replenishment," the Sri Lankan foreign ministry spokesperson Kapila Fonseka reportedly said. Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Displaced Gazans shows signs of disease from over crowding, poor sanitation × Originally, the Chinese vessel was supposed to conduct its research along with Sri Lankan state institutions, however, this permission was not granted. “The particular permission is very clear,” Fonseka said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Chinese 'research' ship Shi Yan 6 to remain at Colombo port till Oct 28 amid India, US concerns

Testing of imported food for the novel coronavirus is pushing capacity at some major Chinese ports to their limit, major shippers told customers this week, warning of additional fees and possible diversions to other ports.

China stepped up inspections of imported food last month after an outbreak of the coronavirus among people working at and visiting a major food market in Beijing.

"Import container pick-up activities have been severely impacted and as a result reefer plugs are highly utilized especially at the port of Yantian and Ningbo," said German shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd in a customer notice on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mainland-china-reports-22-new-coronavirus-cases-including-16-in-xinjiang-314214">Also read:&nbsp;Mainland China reports 22 new coronavirus cases, including 16 in Xinjiang</a>

Reefers, or chilled containers used for meat and fresh produce, must be plugged in for the contents to be kept cool or frozen.

A person who answered the phone at one of Ningbo port`s terminals referred Reuters to the port company`s headquarters, which was closed after business hours. Nobody at Yantian port could be reached.

Though it has only found the virus in a handful of samples out of more than 200,000 tested so far, China continues to inspect cargoes and carry out tests on a large portion of arrivals.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cluster-in-chinas-xinjiang-could-spread-in-uighur-concentration-camps-314114">Also read:&nbsp;Coronavirus cluster in China's Xinjiang could spread in Uighur concentration camps</a>

Hapag-Lloyd warned that containers could be discharged at an alternative port and that cargo owners would be liable for additional costs.

Top container shipper Maersk MAERSKb.CO also told customers on Wednesday that it has been diverting cargo from Yantian port in the southern city Shenzhen because of limited reefer plugs.

The port is one of China`s top ports for frozen meat.

"The terminal yard density for reefer units at Yantian has reached critical levels," it said in the letter seen by Reuters urging customers to book to nearby ports Nansha or Chiwan instead.

Any cargoes arriving in Yantian would face a congestion surcharge of $1,000 per container, it said.

"There are enough plugs for reefers at major ports and the offload process is also normal," said Ding Li, secretary general at the China Ports &amp; Harbours Association.

Yantian port has added 35% more plugs recently to tackle the congestion, and plug utilisation rates at Ningbo port are at 65-70%, Ding said.

"The current bottleneck is insufficient inspection and disinfection capacity for the reefers at customs. But they are working on it," she said.

Responding on Saturday, Maersk said Chinese customs have added additional resources to accelerate customs clearance and that Yantian is now the only port still struggling to discharge all inbound reefers.

"During the past week, customs inspection capacity and speed have been improved," Maersk said, but added it would take some time for Yantian to clear its congestion.

Testing of imported food for the novel coronavirus is pushing capacity at some major Chinese ports to their limit, major shippers told customers this week, warning of additional fees and possible diversions to other ports.

Testing of imported food for the novel coronavirus is pushing capacity at some major Chinese ports to their limit, major shippers told customers this week, warning of additional fees and possible diversions to other ports. China stepped up inspections of imported food last month after an outbreak of the coronavirus among people working at and visiting a major food market in Beijing. "Import container pick-up activities have been severely impacted and as a result reefer plugs are highly utilized especially at the port of Yantian and Ningbo," said German shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd in a customer notice on Friday. Also read: Mainland China reports 22 new coronavirus cases, including 16 in Xinjiang Reefers, or chilled containers used for meat and fresh produce, must be plugged in for the contents to be kept cool or frozen. A person who answered the phone at one of Ningbo port`s terminals referred Reuters to the port company`s headquarters, which was closed after business hours. Nobody at Yantian port could be reached. Though it has only found the virus in a handful of samples out of more than 200,000 tested so far, China continues to inspect cargoes and carry out tests on a large portion of arrivals. Also read: Coronavirus cluster in China's Xinjiang could spread in Uighur concentration camps Hapag-Lloyd warned that containers could be discharged at an alternative port and that cargo owners would be liable for additional costs. Top container shipper Maersk MAERSKb.CO also told customers on Wednesday that it has been diverting cargo from Yantian port in the southern city Shenzhen because of limited reefer plugs. The port is one of China`s top ports for frozen meat. "The terminal yard density for reefer units at Yantian has reached critical levels," it said in the letter seen by Reuters urging customers to book to nearby ports Nansha or Chiwan instead. Any cargoes arriving in Yantian would face a congestion surcharge of $1,000 per container, it said. "There are enough plugs for reefers at major ports and the offload process is also normal," said Ding Li, secretary general at the China Ports & Harbours Association. Yantian port has added 35% more plugs recently to tackle the congestion, and plug utilisation rates at Ningbo port are at 65-70%, Ding said. "The current bottleneck is insufficient inspection and disinfection capacity for the reefers at customs. But they are working on it," she said. Responding on Saturday, Maersk said Chinese customs have added additional resources to accelerate customs clearance and that Yantian is now the only port still struggling to discharge all inbound reefers. "During the past week, customs inspection capacity and speed have been improved," Maersk said, but added it would take some time for Yantian to clear its congestion.

Chinese ports hit capacity as virus tests slow clearing: shippers

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Chinese 'research' ship Shi Yan 6 to remain at Colombo port till Oct 28 amid India, US concerns

Chinese ports hit capacity as virus tests slow clearing: shippers