August 2022 Chinese Spy Ship and Lanka’s Tilt towards Beijing. Colombo had initially denied permission to the Chinese spy ship Yuan Wang 5 to berth at the Hambantota port. However, it later changed its position clearing berthing rights, before reversing it again by denying access to the Chinese vessel. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry explained to the Cabinet that the Chinese vessel had only asked for a refuelling visit, while Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena downplayed the threat of the Chinese visit with an India balancing act, calling it an ‘approach of friendship’. On 16 August 2022, however, the Chinese vessel was…