The Sri Lankan government has asked the Chinese government to postpone the visit of its spy ship Yuan Wang 5 to the port of Hambantota "until further consultations" are held between the two governments. The spy ship was scheduled to dock at the Chinese-leased Hambantota port on August 11 to refuel and depart on August 17.

According to Colombo-based diplomats, the Sri Lankan foreign ministry sent a note verbale to the Chinese embassy referring to a note from the ministry on July 12, 2022, giving permission for the Yuan Wang 5 to enter Hambantota port for "refueling purposes."

Tension escalates in India as a Chinese spy ship docks at Hambantota in Sri Lanka waters