While India has already raised objections with both Sri Lanka and Maldives and asked them not to allow the Chinese vessel to conduct exploration of the Indian Ocean for future military operations, the vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 is currently off the coast of Xiamen in the South China Sea and will travel via Malacca to these countries after securing permission.

Made in 2016, Xiang Yang Hong 03 is a 4813-ton vessel equipped with the latest survey and surveillance equipment and is registered at the port of Xiamen.

The previous survey vessel, Shi Yan 6, which was allowed permission by the Ranil Wickremesinghe government despite India’s strong objections exited the Malacca Straits on November 20- after conducting an exploration of the Sri Lankan EEZ and South Indian Ocean.