As Chinese Influence Grows, Japanese Warship Visits Sri Lanka

As Chinese Influence Grows, Japanese Warship Visits Sri Lanka
Japanese destroyer Inazuma is seen behind one of its ship inspection teams on a small patrol boat in the Indian Ocean on Sept. 27, 2018. Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Reuters
Updated:

COLOMBO—Japan’s largest warship, the Kaga helicopter carrier, sailed into Sri Lanka’s Colombo harbor this weekend, marking Tokyo’s highest profile salvo in a diplomatic battle with China for influence along the region’s vital commercial sea lanes.

Japan has long provided low-interest loans and aid to Sri Lanka, helping it transform Colombo into a major trans-shipment port tapping the artery of global trade just south of the island that links Europe and the Middle East with Asia.