By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): At the time of Chinese research ship docking at the Colombo Port on Wednesday the US Department of Defence to the US Congress claims that China is considering using Sri Lanka as part of its global military supply chain.
The report by the US Department of Defence to the US Congress is titled “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China.”
The report notes that the People’s Republic of China probably also has considered 18 countries including Sri Lanka as locations for People’s Liberation Army’s military logistics facilities.
It added that the PRC is seeking to expand its overseas logistics and basing infrastructure to allow the PLA to project and sustain military power at greater instances.
If realized, a global PLA military logistics network could disrupt U.S. military operations as the PRC’s global military objectives evolve.
The report says that beyond the PLA support base in Djibouti, the PRC is very likely already considering and planning for additional military logistics facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces projection.
The report also revealed that in June 2022, a PRC official confirmed that the PLA would have access to parts of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base.
Chinese research ship docked at a Sri Lankan port on Wednesday, likely adding to neighboring India’s concerns about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.
The arrival of the Shi Yan 6 follows last year’s visit by a Chinese naval vessel.
The latest ship was given permission to dock for replenishment at the port of Colombo, the Indian Ocean island’s main port, from Wednesday until Oct. 28, said foreign ministry spokesman Kapila Fonseka.
The vessel had been expected to conduct research with Sri Lankan state institutions, but Fonseka said permission was granted only for replenishment and no research work would be carried out.
According to Chinese television network CGTN, Shi Yan 6 is a geophysical scientific research vessel on an expeditionary voyage in the eastern area of the Indian Ocean.
Organized by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the vessel is scheduled to operate at sea for 80 days, covering a range of more than 12,000 nautical miles (roughly 22,200 kilometres), CGTN reported.
China has been trying to expand its influence in Sri Lanka, which is located on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes in what India considers part of its strategic backyard.
Beijing was once widely seen as having an upper hand with its free-flowing loans and infrastructure investments. But Sri Lanka’s economic collapse last year provided an opportunity for India as New Delhi stepped in with massive financial and material assistance.
