The Chinese research vessel Shiyan 6, which had raised concerns from India and the United States, has initiated its two-day scientific research mission along the Sri Lankan coast. This research effort, conducted in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and the University of Ruhuna, will focus on marine scientific research, according to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

The research endeavors of the Shiyan 6, a scientific research vessel specializing in geophysical exploration, are a part of China’s broader marine research initiatives. The vessel is slated to spend approximately 80 days at sea, with 13 research teams on board, working on 28 scientific research projects covering a distance of 12,000 nautical miles, as reported by the state-run China Global Television Network.

The visit of the Chinese research vessel had drawn concern from both India and the United States, a recurring theme in response to earlier Chinese vessel visits. The Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, discussed the matter during his recent trip to Beijing.

In recent months, several foreign naval vessels have made goodwill visits to Sri Lanka, including India’s ‘INS Delhi,’ the Korean Navy’s ‘ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great,’ and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer AKEBONO (DD 108). Despite India’s repeated concerns about Chinese vessel visits, Sri Lankan authorities have stated that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be established for vetting foreign vessels. However, sources in Colombo suggest that the SOP for evaluating foreign warships, aircraft, and Marine Scientific Research (MSR) ships, although approved by the Cabinet, has yet to be fully implemented.

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