Joint Ocean Observation Station
The Joint Ocean Observation Station was a planned maritime observatory to be built on Makunudhoo in the Maldives, to be operated by the State Oceanic Administration of China and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Maldives.[1]
History
[edit]The Government of India and oppositional Maldivian Democratic Party have argued that the observatory will be used for military applications by China.[2] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China has denied that the observatory will serve any military purpose.[3] The observatory was scrapped in 2019.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Key Agreements signed between the Maldives and China". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives. 8 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019.
The Protocol on Establishment of Joint Ocean Observation Station between the State Oceanic Administration of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Maldives
- ^ Parashar, Sachin (26 February 2018). "China's ocean observatory in Maldives sparks fresh security concerns". The Times of India. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Beijing says Maldives marine observatory is non-military". Asia Times Online. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
"China's marine cooperation with the Maldives carries no military purpose, none whatsoever," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
- ^ "Big win for India! Maldives likely to scrap controversial Indian Ocean observatory agreement with China". Times Now. Malé/New Delhi: The Times Group. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.