Sri Lanka and China have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation amid Indian concerns over Chinese research ships visiting the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka on December 31 relaxed a one-year temporary ban on foreign ships entering Sri Lankan waters for research purposes. Sr Lanka had to impose the ban after strong Indian concerns over Chinese research vessels entering into Sri Lankan waters for research purposes.
However, Sri Lanka and China agreed to maritime cooperation during President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s official visit to Beijing. The two sides share the desire to continue maritime cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual trust, openness and mutual benefit and hold regular bilateral consultations on maritime affairs. The two sides are ready to deepen cooperation in such fields as conservation and restoration of the marine environment and ecosystems, maritime domain awareness, maritime rescue and disaster relief, and maritime personnel training and capacity building, and pool their strength to build a maritime community with a shared future. The two sides also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Ocean Cooperation toward Blue Partnership.
