'Beijing requested that ...': Maldives govt's statement after Chinese vessel's 'port call' stirs concerns

Maldives on Tuesday reacted to media reports about a Chinese research vessel heading towards Male, saying that Beijing had formally requested for a diplomatic clearance for its ship.The Maldivian foreign ministry said that the vessel is halting for "rotation of personnel and replenishment", adding that it received assurance from China that the vessel would refrain from conducting research in Maldivian waters.The statement comes amid regular concerns raised by India about the presence of Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean region.