New Delhi: The Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which recently arrived in Colombo amid concerns from India and the US, is set to begin a two-day “marine scientific” research off the Sri Lankan coast on Tuesday (October 31).The research will take place off Sri Lanka’s western coast in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and the University of Ruhuna, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo told the Hindu.Shi Yan 6 was added to China’s fleet of marine research vessels in December 2020. It is said to be the country’s first scientific research vessel focusing on geophysical exploration. It is scheduled to operate at sea for about 80 days, with 13 research teams onboard pursuing 28 scientific research projects across 12,000 nautical miles, the state-run China Global Television Network reported in September.Both India and the US have raised concerns over the vessel’s visit, the newspaper reported.Last year, a spacecraft-tracking Chinese vessel had raised security concerns in India. At the time, Sri Lanka had prohibited it from undertaking any research activities while in its waters.Separately, Sri Lankan authorities have said that a standard operating procedure (SOP) will be followed to clear visits of foreign vessels, the newspaper reported. However, sources in Colombo told the daily that the SOP is yet to come into effect.In September this year, ‘INS Delhi’, India’s first indigenously built destroyer, made a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka.Last week, ‘ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great’ of the Korean Navy and more recently, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer AKEBONO (DD 108) arrived at the Trincomalee harbour, located on Sri Lanka’s north-eastern coast, on an official visit, the report added.
