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Agence France-Presse

A Chinese navy sailing ship has been allowed to dock in Sri Lanka despite a ban on foreign research vessels, which Colombo’s new government said remained in force.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said China’s Po Lang, a triple-masted tall ship with 130 crew, was given permission to dock in Colombo because it was “a training vessel and not a research craft”.

“There is no change in the policy regarding research vessels,” Herath told reporters.
Regional power India is suspicious of China’s presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, which are strategically placed halfway along key east-west international shipping routes.

Colombo’s navy said the Chinese crew would stay until Friday, visiting “tourist attractions of the country” as well as offering “briefings” to Sri Lankan sailors.
Sri Lanka refused permission for China’s Xiang Yang Hong 3 research ship to enter its waters at the start of the year, with the craft later moving to the neighbouring Maldives.
Earlier port calls from the Chinese navy since 2022 had raised objections from India.
That included the ship Yuan Wang 5, which specialises in spacecraft tracking, and which New Delhi described as a spy ship.


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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka allows Chinese navy ship to dock despite ban

The Chinese navy’s sailing training ship Po Lang seen berthed at the port in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Members of the Sri Lankan navy’s band perform during a welcoming ceremony for the Chinese navy’s sailing training ship Po Lang in Colombo on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard by the Po Lang at the port in Colombo. Photo: EPA-EFE

India gains ‘advantage’ over China as Sri Lanka’s new leader seeks to balance ties

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addresses the nation on September 25. Photo: Sri Lanka’s President Office/AFP

People buy goods at a roadside shop on a busy street in Colombo. Sri Lanka’s new leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to pursue policies that will benefit the poor. Photo: EPA-EFE

Dissanayake (left) with Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna General Secretary Tilvin Silva during a campaign rally in Habaraduwa last month. Photo: Bloomberg

Dissanayake with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi in February. Photo: X/DrSJaishankar

India’s ‘strategic patience’ with Maldives appears to pay off – are they allies again?

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu inspects guard of honour in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: AP

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu speaks at an event hosted by the Chinese embassy in Male last month. Photo: Xinhua

Aukus reawakens Perth’s WWII role as the West’s submarine hub in the East

A museum in the port of Fremantle, near Perth, located on the site of slipways that enabled the repair of Allied submarines in World War II. Photo: Huw Watkin

A torpedo in the Western Australian port of Fremantle, near Perth, serves as a reminder of US submariners based in the area who died in World War II. Photo: Huw Watkin

The West Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle, located on the site of slipways that enabled the repair of US, Dutch and British submarines during World War II. Photo: Huw Watkin

The decommissioned Col War-era Australian submarine HMAS Ovens on display at the West Australian Maritime Museum. Photo: Huw Watkin

The defence chiefs of Australia, Britain and the US meet in London on Thursday to discuss Aukus. Photo: AFP

Sri Lanka ban on Chinese ships a ‘victory’ for India, but shows limits of small states in big-power rivalry

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 is seen berthed at Colombo harbour in Sri Lanka in October 2023. Photo: AP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) welcomes Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe before a meeting in New Delhi in July 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese research ship Yuan Wang 5 arrives in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, in August 2022. Photo: AP

Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5 being berthed at Hambantota port, which is leased to China. Photo: Facebook

News

Asia

South Asia

The Chinese crew will stay until Friday, offering ‘briefings’ to Sri Lankan sailors and visiting tourist attractions, Colombo’s navy said


The Chinese crew will stay until Friday, offering ‘briefings’ to Sri Lankan sailors and visiting tourist attractions, Colombo’s navy said.


China’s military

Defence