In the wake of the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 docking at the Colombo Port on Wednesday (25), the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) is awaiting Foreign Affairs Ministry approval to conduct research with the Chinese vessel.
Sources within the NARA told The Daily Morning yesterday (26) that the Ministry is yet to approve the request made by the NARA to allow the Shi Yan 6 to conduct research within the Sri Lankan Naval territory with their assistance. However, it was reported that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is still having discussions with the Ministry of Defence in this regard.
Meanwhile, NARA sources also said that the research territories and other crucial factors affiliated with the research are yet to be decided, and that most probably the decision will be followed by the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries’ approval for the research. Sources also said that the NARA was to further discuss these matters in the Board meeting which was scheduled to take place yesterday afternoon.
However, the Foreign Affairs Minister, President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry said in a statement that the Chinese ship was given permission to dock only for replenishment at the Port of Colombo but that approval for any research purpose is yet to be granted. It was reported that the vessel had been expected to conduct research with Sri Lankan State institutions, but the Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson confirmed that the permission was granted only for replenishment and that no research work would be carried out.
According to the Chinese television network China Global Television Network (CGTN), Shi Yan 6 is a geophysical scientific research vessel on an expeditionary voyage in the Eastern area of the Indian Ocean. Organised by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the vessel is scheduled to operate at sea for 80 days, covering a range of more than 12,000 nautical miles (roughly 22,200 kilometres), the CGTN reported.
China has been trying to expand its influence in Sri Lanka, which is located on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes in what India considers part of its strategic backyard. Last year (2022), the Chinese state owned vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota in Southern Sri Lanka.