China's survey vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 is arriving in the Maldives after obtaining permission, but will not carry out any survey work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

Earlier this month, when Xiang Yang Hong 3 embarked on its journey to the Maldives, India accused it of being a Chinese spy vessel. Earlier this month, Sri Lanka imposed a one-year ban on the vessel from entering Sri Lanka's economic zone after India objected to the move to approach the Hambantota port.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Chinese side had sought diplomatic permission to bring the vessel to the Maldives and that the vessel was coming to the Maldives to renew its stock and exchange crew.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Maldives will always welcome civil and military vessels from the Maldives and its neighbours. Such port calls will strengthen bilateral relations between the Maldives and other countries.

India, the US and some European countries have accused the Chinese ship of collecting information from such vessels and sharing it with the Chinese military.