Yuan Wang 5 in Sea of Sri Lanka; Drops speed, but remains on course

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Yuan Wang 5, a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship in China's research vessel fleet that was moving away from Sri Lanka on Thursday (11) is back on its original course towards the southern port of Hambantota.

However, the ship is facing the Bay of Bengal from the Eastern Ocean region of Sri Lanka.

The Yuan Wang 5 was located some 620 nautical miles away from the Hambantota Port in the Sea of Sri Lanka.

On Wednesday (10) the Yuan Wang 5 changes its course slightly, and also dropped its speed.

An observation of the course of the Yuan Wang 5 revealed that it was passing over the Ninety East Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge on the Indian Ocean floor named for its near-parallel strike along the 90th meridian at the center of the Eastern Hemisphere.

On Friday (12) evening, the Yuan Wang 5 was traveling at a speed of 6 knots.

In 2021, a Chinese government survey ship, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, was operating in the same region in the Indian Ocean and carrying out a search pattern west of Sumatra.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry already requested China to defer the arrival of the Yuan Wang 5, a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship in China's research vessel fleet.

However, there is no announcement on whether or not this vessel will be allowed to enter the Hambantota Port.

The Harbour Master for the Hambantota Port says that the Yuan Wang 5, a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship in China's research vessel fleet, will not reach port on Thursday (11).

He said that no vessel can enter the Hambantota Port without his permission.

The Spokesperson to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Arindam Bagchi categorially rejected insinuations about statements claiming that India is adding pressure on Sri Lanka regarding the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5.

Speaking during the weekly media briefing held by the Ministry, the Spokesperson emphasized that Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation, which can make its own indepenent decisions.

However, with regard to Sri Lanka-India relations, the Spokesperson stated that India prioritizes its 'Neighbourhood first' policy, and within 2022 itself, India has extended unprecedented support of USD 3.8 billion assistance to Sri Lanka to curb the economic crisis.

Spokesperson Bagchi also mentioned that India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka's democracy, stability and economic recovery.

However, speaking on the security interests of India, he added that India will 'make the best judgement in our own interest' which naturally takes into account the prevailing situation in India's border regions.