China says its research ship aims to understand Indian Ocean as it set to enter Maldives
Admin
Feb 15, 2024 12:20
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China on Tuesday defended the increasing forays by its research vessels into the Indian Ocean as well to the Maldives, saying these were for peaceful purposes and aimed at contributing to humanity’s scientific understanding of the ocean.
The Maldives had on January 23 permitted China’s Xiang Yang Hong 03, equipped to carry research and surveys, to dock at Male port, saying the halt was for replenishment and that the research vessel would "not be conducting any research while in the Maldivian waters.” The permission for the Chinese vessel to dock at Male port was given by the recently elected pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu.
