The visit of the Chinese research vessel ‘Yuan Wang 5’ to Sri Lanka is normal procedure, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said today.
He made the statement to the media after the arrival of the vessel at the Hambantota Port this morning.
Qi Zhenhong said a similar vessel had visited the Colombo Port in 2014 a process which is part of the bilateral ties between China and Sri Lanka.
When inquired about the delay caused to the visit of the Chinese ship, Qi Zhenhong said “I don’t know. Maybe this is life”.
Responding to questions on India expressing security concerns over the Chinese vessel’s visit, he requested the media personnel to direct the questions to the ‘Indian friends’.
The Chinese vessel was scheduled to dock at the Chinese-leased Hambantota port on August 11 for refueling and leave on August 17.
However, the visit was delayed as India had expressed its security concerns over the docking of the vessel at Hambantota. (NewsWire)