Trending:

Chinese 'spy' ship Yuan Wang 5 docks at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka - see exclusive pictures

Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang 5' docked at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.

Times Now Bureau

Updated Aug 16, 2022, 19:37 IST

Yuan Wang 5

Photo : Times Now

Colombo: Times Now has accessed exclusive pictures of the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang 5' that has docked at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port. The shots of the high-tech Chinese research ship were captured via drone.

The ship was docked despite India raised security concerns about the vessel's presence in nearby waters.

The controversial Chinese ship was given a grand welcome with port workers seen waving Sri Lankan and Chinese flags. The ship will remain docked till August 22.

The ship was supposed to talk on August 11 but it was delayed as Sri Lanka denied it permission. However, Colombo later allowed Beijing the port access to the vessel from August 16 to 22 on condition that it will keep the Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka and no scientific research to be conducted in Sri Lankan waters.

Interestingly, America also raised concerns over the docking of the Chinese ship in Sri Lanka. The US Defense Department noted that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is in control of the ship and the vessel is capable of tracking satellites and missile launches.

Beijing has denied US' and India's claims and maintained that the ship is used for scientific research.

Yuan Wang 5 is conducting scientific research "in accordance with international law and it does not affect the security and economic interests of any country and should not be interfered with by third parties."

India has been apprehensive of the Chinese vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian defence installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.

Notably, China leased the Hambantota port from Sri Lanka in 2017 for 99 years after Colombo failed to pay debts.

The Chinese ship arrived a day after India gifted a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka.

India gifted a Dornier Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft August 15, 2022 towards strengthening the maritime security of Sri Lanka at a special event held in Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Katunayake. Navy and Air Force personnel of Sri Lanka who received training in India for close to four months shall operate the aircraft, the ministry of external affairs stated.

Latest News