Chinese Research Ship Docks in Maldives After Month in Indian Ocean

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: The file photo of Xiang Yang Hong 03

A Chinese Research Vessel's Arrival in Maldives Raises Concerns Over Indian Ocean Security
In a move that has reignited security concerns in the Indian Ocean region, a Chinese research vessel, identified as Xiang Yang Hong 03, was spotted in the Maldives on Thursday, according to data from global ship-tracking sources. This arrival comes merely three months after a similar vessel's visit stirred apprehensions regarding security implications for the area, particularly from the perspective of New Delhi.
The recent visit follows assertions made in January by a U.S. think tank, suggesting that China's navy might exploit the insights gleaned from such missions for the strategic deployment of naval forces. Beijing has vehemently refuted these claims, dismissing them as part of a concerted effort to tarnish China's image through a fabricated narrative of threat.
Xiang Yang Hong 03, operated by a research institute under China's Ministry of Natural Resources, made its port call in Male, the capital of Maldives, after a journey of over a month from its home port of Xiamen in southeastern China. Prior to its arrival, the ship had been engaged in surveying activities for more than three weeks in waters proximate to the exclusive economic zones of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, as indicated by ship-tracking data.

While China's foreign ministry maintains that the vessel's research pursuits are entirely peaceful and geared towards enhancing scientific knowledge, India has consistently expressed unease over the presence of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean, notwithstanding their civilian categorization. Indian security officials have raised concerns over the dual-use nature of these vessels, suggesting that the data they gather could potentially serve both civilian and military objectives.
Xiang Yang Hong 03's appearance in the Indian Ocean is not an isolated incident. The vessel has made multiple voyages to the region in recent years, with past instances including passages through the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, prompting alarms from Indonesian authorities due to instances where its tracking system was turned off. Additionally, other Chinese research vessels have made stopovers in Sri Lanka, with notable cases such as the arrival of Yuan Wang 5, a military vessel capable of tracking rocket and missile launches, in Colombo in 2022, which raised concerns in India.

Map Attribute: The past deployment of Xiang Yang Hong 03 in Indian Ocean Region

The recent docking of Xiang Yang Hong 03 in Sri Lanka in October 2023 further amplified India's apprehensions. However, in a move that appeared to address these concerns, Sri Lanka announced a year-long moratorium on foreign research ships in January, effectively denying China access to its ports for such activities.
The timing of Xiang Yang Hong 03's arrival in the Maldives coincides with a visit by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to China in January, during which bilateral ties were elevated, with Beijing offering significant financial assistance amounting to 920 million yuan ($128 million) in the form of "free aid." Maldivian authorities have reassured that the vessel's activities in their waters will be limited to personnel rotation and replenishment of supplies, with no research endeavors planned.
The presence of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean continues to be a contentious issue, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments amid persisting regional security concerns. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the implications of such maritime activities on the broader strategic landscape remain subject to intense scrutiny and debate.

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