China's research vessel Shi Yan 6 raises spying concerns as it heads for Sri Lankan port

A Chinese research vessel, Shi Yan 6, has stirred controversy as it makes its way through the Malacca Strait towards Sri Lanka's Colombo port. While officially labelled as a research mission in the Indian Ocean region, the vessel's presence has raised suspicions and fueled diplomatic tensions, as experts debate its true capabilities and intentions.  

The Shi Yan 6, purportedly on a scientific expedition, is en route to Colombo and is expected to reach its destination on October 25. Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed that the vessel will engage in research operations for 17 days as part of an agreement with a university. The mission is associated with research linked to Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).  

However, the vessel's journey has been met with scepticism and unease. New Delhi had previously expressed serious concerns to the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government about granting permission for the Chinese research vessel to dock at the Sri Lankan port. The circumstances surrounding the vessel's prior visit to China in April 2022, during which it stayed for ten days, have only added to the suspicions.  

The shadow of Chinese spy ships

While some experts argue that Shi Yan 6 lacks the antennae for satellite and missile tracking, concerns persist over the vessel's sophisticated research equipment and its potential dual-use nature. Indian Navy’s Commander Surchand Singh pointed out to the Republic that the technical capabilities on board could be repurposed for both offensive and defensive activities, particularly in areas like seabed mapping, which could aid submarine deployments in times of conflict.  

China's recurrent deployment of spy ships in the Indian Ocean region has added to the unease. In April this year, the Chinese missile and satellite tracking vessel Yuan Wang 7 was observed in the same area when India conducted missile tests in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Odisha. This presence further raises questions about the intentions behind China's maritime activities in the region.  

Sri Lanka's decision to allow surveillance and missile tracker ships to dock at its Colombo and Hambantota ports, despite India's concerns, has added to the complexity of the situation. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the Sri Lankan Government in July to consider Indian security concerns seems to have had limited impact, as Chinese vessels continue to receive port access.  

As Sri Lanka grapples with its substantial debt to China, estimated at around $3 billion, diplomatic tensions and concerns over security interests in the Indian Ocean region persist. The Shi Yan 6's mission, shrouded in ambiguity, highlights the challenges of navigating geopolitical waters and balancing international alliances in a region of growing strategic significance.