China to India: Don’t disturb ‘normal exchange’ with Sri Lanka

Still smarting from Sri Lanka’s decision to block a Chinese spy vessel’s visit to Hambantota, Beijing on Monday asked India to not disturb its “normal exchange” with the island nation by citing “senseless” security concerns. Sri Lanka had withdrawn its approval, which was given before President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office, for the research vessel Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota port following a protest by India.
“China urges relevant parties to see China’s scientific explorations in a reasonable and sensible way and stop disturbing the normal exchange between China and Sri Lanka,” said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson. “Sri Lanka is a sovereign state. It can develop relations with other countries in the light of its own development interests,” he added. The spokesperson said it’s “senseless to pressure Sri Lanka” by citing security concerns.
Reports from Colombo on Sunday said China’s embassy in the country sought an urgent meeting with senior Sri Lankan authorities after Colombo sought deferment of the docking of the research vessel. Some Sri Lankan news portals also reported that Ranil Wickremesinghe held a closed-door meeting with China’s ambassador Qi Zhenhong after Colombo sought the deferment of the planned docking. The Chinese vessel was expected to dock at the Sri Lankan port for “refuelling and replenishment” and to conduct satellite control and research tracking in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.