Sri Lanka allows a Chinese ship to dock and reassures India: It is not espionage
Sri Lanka has reassured India that the purpose of the Chinese ship, which is preparing to dock at a major port on the island, is merely to refuel, amid New Delhi's fears that Beijing is using the ship for espionage purposes.
Sri Lanka has allowed a Chinese search ship to dock at one of its ports, despite India's security concerns.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Yuan Wang 5 was due to arrive at a port in Hambantota on the southern coast of Sri Lanka on August 11, but is now scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.
The statement added that the ship's work will be limited to storing supplies and will not conduct any scientific research in Sri Lanka's territorial waters.
The Indian government has expressed concerns that the ship might spy on its military facilities, given Sri Lanka's proximity to the Indian mainland.
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