China Responds to Spy Ship Activity in Indian Ocean

China has described a visit by a spy ship to the Maldives as justified “research activity” as tensions with India escalated over the vessel. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the Xiang Yang Hong 3’smission was peaceful, but experts suspect it is to gather intelligence. “China’s scientific research activities in relevant waters are for peaceful purposes and aimed at contributing to humanity’s scientific understanding of the ocean. The activities are in strict compliance with the terms of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Wang said on Tuesday during the regular press briefing. “For years,…