China has been stating that it has no plans to build overseas military bases but at the same time its naval fleet has been securing refuelling and recreational facilities in places like Indian Ocean island of Seychelles and now Colombo port which has been partly financed by the Chinese government.
The Xinhua report said Sri Lanka allowed a Chinese submarine to dock at its Colombo harbour, despite concerns raised by India about China's warming relations with the island nation.
The report quoted Sri Lankan navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya as saying that there is nothing unusual in docking of the Chinese submarine.
“Since 2010, 230 warships have called at Colombo port from various countries on goodwill visits and for refuelling and crew refreshment,” Warnakulasuriya said. Indian strategic analysts have voiced their concern over the frequent docking of Chinese naval ships in Sri Lanka.
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