Hai Yang 24 Hao: Chinese Warship’s Colombo Visit Raises Diplomatic Queries

August 12, 2023

A Chinese naval vessel, ‘Hai Yang 24 Hao,’ arrived in Colombo Port on August 10 for a formal visit, scheduled to dock until August 12. This visit comes a year after a similar event strained Indo-Lanka relations due to diplomatic tensions with India. The Sri Lankan Navy stated that the visit had been approved in accordance with diplomatic protocols and that India had not expressed any concerns. The visit follows Sri Lanka’s approval of a “standard operating procedure” for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign sea vessels, aiming to prevent future diplomatic strains. China’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s ports, including Hambantota and Colombo, has drawn international attention.

GKToday Notes

What caused diplomatic tensions during a previous Chinese vessel visit?

A visit by China’s satellite tracking vessel Yuan Wang 5 to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port in August 2022 sparked tensions between India and Sri Lanka. India and the U.S. voiced concerns over the military ship’s presence, leading to diplomatic complexities.

Why was Sri Lanka urged to defer the vessel’s visit in 2022?

China’s satellite tracking vessel’s visit created pressure on Sri Lanka as both India and the U.S. expressed concerns. Colombo urged China to delay the visit amid diplomatic challenges.

What role has China played in Sri Lanka’s ports?

China is actively engaged in Sri Lanka’s ports, such as Hambantota and Colombo. In May 2023, Sri Lanka partnered with the China Merchants Group to construct a logistics complex at Colombo Port with an estimated cost of nearly $400 million.

What is the Indian government’s stance on this recent visit?

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson stated that while the government carefully monitors such developments affecting India’s security and interests, they were uncertain whether the current Chinese vessel is a warship.

Why did Sri Lanka implement a “standard operating procedure” for foreign sea vessels?

Sri Lanka introduced this procedure to avoid future diplomatic strains and ensure that visits by foreign sea vessels are approved through diplomatic channels to maintain international relations.

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