China has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the affected countries to investigate the recent damage to two data cables in the Baltic Sea. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard welcomed the notion of cooperation, stating that it is essential to clarify what transpired. She emphasized that they maintain an ongoing dialogue regarding the issue.
Last week, reports surfaced regarding the damage of two underwater cables in the Baltic Sea—one located between Finland and Germany, and the other between Sweden and Lithuania. The Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 was in close proximity to the locations of the two cable breaches around the time the incidents occurred. Since then, the ship has remained stationary in the Kattegat area for at least a week.
In response to the incidents, the Swedish authorities launched an investigation, suspecting sabotage. On Thursday, Sweden sent a formal request to China to cooperate in the investigation involving the Chinese vessel, to which China has now agreed. Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that China is willing to work with relevant countries to uncover the truth and emphasized that officials are maintaining close communication with Sweden on this matter.
The Danish Coast Guard reported last week that its team has been monitoring the Yi Peng 3, which currently remains in international waters. The Swedish Coast Guard is also tracking the vessel. A news team from SVT was present in Kattegatt but observed that the captain declined to answer questions.
Suspicious maneuvers
Additionally, observers noted that the Chinese ship conducted suspicious maneuvers over three other underwater cables spanning between Denmark and Sweden. Reports indicate that the vessel may have deliberately dragged its anchor over 16 miles along the seabed of the Baltic Sea, potentially damaging these data cables, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In a positive development, the company responsible for the infrastructure announced that the damaged cable between Sweden and Lithuania has now been repaired.
China collaborate damage
Source: SVT
