{"id":79025,"date":"2022-08-16T00:45:14","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T04:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=79025"},"modified":"2022-08-16T21:53:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T01:53:42","slug":"chinese-yuan-wang-5-vessel-mired-in-a-geopolitical-tussle-docks-at-the-hambantota-portwelcome-ceremony-attended-by-mps-weerawansa-nanayakkara-weerasekera-on-behalf-of-the-president-i-came-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=79025","title":{"rendered":"Chinese Yuan Wang 5 vessel mired in a geopolitical tussle docks at the Hambantota Port;welcome ceremony attended by MPs Weerawansa, Nanayakkara and Weerasekera; “On behalf of the President, I came here today to welcome the ship and wish them,\u201d says Sarath Weerasekera."},"content":{"rendered":"


\nBY P. Waravita<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Chinese Yuan Wang 5 vessel, whose arrival was mired in a geopolitical tussle, docked at the Hambantota Port yesterday (16), with a welcome ceremony attended by prominent MPs, where the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong stated that the docking of the vessel is a \u201cnormal exchange\u201d between China and Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

The scientific research vessel from China attracted controversy earlier this month, as neighbouring India raised several concerns ovet the purpose of its visit. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) even rescinded its initial approval to the vessel to dock at Hambantota, and asked China to defer its visit. Permission was again granted for the vessel to dock yesterday (16).<\/p>\n

Responding to media questions at the event held yesterday, Zhenhong said that the \u201cscientific research vessel docked successfully and smoothly\u201d at the Hambantota Port, and that this is \u201ca normal exchange between our two countries because Sri Lanka and China enjoy a longstanding friendship\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe scientific research vessel visiting Hambantota is very natural and normal. It is nothing special, and everybody knows this. This is not the first time that this kind of vessel visited Sri Lanka,\u201d added Zhenhong.<\/p>\n

He noted that in 2014, a vessel of a similar nature visited Colombo.
\n\u201cSo this is very natural. I hope that our media friends tell the Sri Lankan people about the objectives of the issues.\u201d
\nWhen questioned about his knowledge on the reasons for the delay of the ship\u2019s entry to Hambantota, Zhengong said: \u201cEverybody knows. I do not think it is polite.\u201d<\/p>\n

When further questioned as to the reason for the diplomatic tussle over the arrival of the ship, Zhengong responded that he does not know, adding that \u201cmaybe this is life. This is nature\u201d.<\/p>\n

The media further questioned him about India\u2019s concerns over the ship, especially with regard to security to which Zhengong said: \u201cYou can ask those questions from the Indian friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held to announce its decisions yesterday (16), Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said that Sri Lanka had asked China to delay the ship\u2019s arrival until discussions with India had concluded. \u201cWe had initially given permission. Questions were raised by India, and until those discussions finished, we asked to delay the arrival. We follow a non-aligned policy, and all nations are important to us. The Foreign Ministry has acted responsibly to work without causing issues between friendly countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his official address at the ceremony, Zhengong said that Yuan Wang 5\u2019s visit to Hambantota will leave quite a mark on the celebration of the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties, and the 70th anniversary of the Rice-Rubber Pact.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hambantota Port, as a major \u2018Belt and Road\u2019 co-operation project, is a symbol of the China-Sri Lanka friendship and co-operation, as well as a most powerful engine for Sri Lanka to achieve economic recovery and to enhance its capacity of self development. Even though you (Yuan Wang 5) have experienced some different rough weather this time on the Indian Ocean, the Port call of Yuan Wang 5 to Hambantota finally came through.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt manifests not only your courage, tenacity and invincibility, but also the deep rooted, enduring and unshakable traditional friendship between our two countries,\u201d noted the English translation of Zhengong\u2019s official address, as sent by the Chinese Embassy.
\nSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Rear Admiral Dr. Sarath Weerasekera, Wimal Weerawansa, and Vasudeva Nanayakkara were present at the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Addressing the gathering, Weerawansa said that although the land is Sri Lankan, the sky and the Ocean connect the country to the world.
\n\u201cThere is a certain area from the sky and the ocean that is sovereign to us and we are responsible for that. The Indian Ocean should be regarded as an ocean of peace, and it shouldn\u2019t be a battlefield or a camp of enemies. Although we may be weakened economically, we should strictly be on that stance. Although some are saying that it is a spy vessel, as soon as the permission was given, the ship should have been allowed to come to Sri Lanka,\u201d said Weerawansa.<\/p>\n

During his address, Nanayakkara said that the presence of Yuan Wang 5 shows Sri Lanka\u2019s independence and sovereignty, adding that the long term relationship between China and Sri Lanka should not be affected by \u201cimperialistic conspiracies\u201d and that it should be continued to the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe opinions surrounding the ship were built around the ideas of the US and the West.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking to the media, Weerasekera said that although there was an initial difference of opinion, \u201cit has been solved now\u201d.
\n\u201cWith this, the friendship is strengthened. On behalf of the President, I came here today to welcome the ship and wish them,\u201d said Weerasekera.<\/p>\n

Speaking to The Morning, Hambantota Port Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva said that the vessel is due to leave Sri Lanka on 19 August, although permission had been granted for it to dock at Hambantota till 22 August for replenishment purposes.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s External Affairs Ministry raised concerns to the media about the arrival of the vessel in late July. Following this, China\u2019s Foreign Ministry had responded to media questions about these concerns by stating that \u201cChina hopes that the relevant parties will view and report on China\u2019s marine scientific research activities correctly and refrain from interfering with normal and legitimate maritime activities\u201d.<\/p>\n

China later termed India\u2019s opposition to the visit as \u201cmorally irresponsible and unjustified\u201d, adding that Sri Lanka is a sovereign country with the right to develop relations with other countries based on its development interests.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued on 8 August, Sri Lanka\u2019s Foreign Ministry said that although diplomatic clearance was given on 12 July to the Chinese vessel to call on the Hambantota Port for replenishment purposes from 11 August to 17 August, the Ministry had later communicated to the Embassy of the People\u2019s Republic of China in Colombo to defer the said visit<\/p>\n

.
\nThe Morning learnt that on both the occasions that permission was given to Yuan Wang 5 to dock at Hambantota, two conditions were stipulated, namely, not to conduct any research work and to keep the automatic identification system turned on at all times when it is in Sri Lankan waters
\n
\nCourtesy:The Morning<\/em><\/p>\n

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BY P. Waravita The Chinese Yuan Wang 5 vessel, whose arrival was mired in a geopolitical tussle, docked at the Hambantota Port yesterday (16), with a welcome ceremony attended by prominent MPs, where the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong stated that the docking of the vessel is a \u201cnormal exchange\u201d between China and …<\/p>\n

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