After being denied entry into Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 has now reached the Maldives. The vessel had previously been engaged in research activities in waters adjacent to Sri Lanka’s EEZ.
As of 3:30 PM Sri Lankan time on Thursday (22), the Xiang Yang Hong 3 was anchored in the Maldivian territorial waters near the capital, Male, following its departure from Sri Lanka’s EEZ yesterday after approximately one month of activity there. This development adds a new layer to the diplomatic tensions between India and China concerning Sri Lanka.
India has expressed concerns about the repeated presence of Chinese research vessels in Sri Lankan waters, citing potential security threats and dual-purpose data collection. In response, Sri Lanka imposed a one-year ban on research vessels operating within its territorial waters. Despite a prior request by the Chinese government for the Xiang Yang Hong 3 to conduct inspections in Sri Lankan waters, the ban led the vessel to divert to the Maldives instead.
While initially slated to arrive in the Maldives on February 8th, the vessel reportedly engaged in research activities near the Sri Lankan maritime border before its arrival. Notably, the Xiang Yang Hong 3 operated outside Sri Lanka’s EEZ during its activities. Indian media views the Sri Lankan ban and the arrival of an Indian submarine in Colombo as a triumph for India, while Chinese media perceive Indian pressure on Sri Lanka as unwarranted.
The Maldivian government has clarified that the Xiang Yang Hong 3 is present in their waters solely for logistical purposes and not for research activities.
Source: Newsfirst
