Yuan Wang 5, the controversial Chinese satellite tracking and survey vessel which called at Hambantota International Port (HIP) for a six-day replenishment stop last month, returned to its home port in Jiangsu Province last week, completing a 69-day voyage.
The visit of the Chinese vessel, one of many that had docked in Sri Lanka for replenishment over the years, caused a diplomatic spat between Sri Lanka, India, China, and the US, with Sri Lanka rescinding permission given to the vessel to dock at HIP, only to later grant permission following consultations with the concerned parties.
According to Chinese state media reports, the vessel had covered 14,000 nautical miles during its mission in the Indian Ocean and had monitored the launch of the Wentian space lab module and the Yaogan-33 02 satellite, which were launched into orbit by the Chinese space programme during that period.
The vessel, the fifth in a fleet of five, is expected to be refitted and modernised during its stay at the Jiangsu home port for future missions.
– By Asiri Fernando
Chinese tracking ship: Yuan Wang 5 returns home
25 Sep 2022
Chinese tracking ship: Yuan Wang 5 returns home
25 Sep 2022