Chinese ship implicated in Baltic Sea cable sabotage probe
The Chinese authorities have provided investigators with information and documents regarding the cutting of telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea, Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday. The Chinese ship, Yi Peng 3, is suspected of severing two cables connecting Lithuania with Sweden and Finland with Germany.
The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, emphasized China's readiness to continue exchanging information and cooperating with the countries involved in the investigation.
The voyage of Yi Peng 3 was halted for an extended period due to the investigation. After a thorough assessment and consultation, the shipping company decided to resume the voyage to protect the physical and mental health of the crew, Mao added.
In November, two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, connecting Lithuania with Sweden and Finland with Germany. Suspicion soon fell on the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3, which was in the vicinity of the cable breaks.
The ship was in international waters
An investigation into possible sabotage was initiated by the prosecutor's office in Stockholm, as well as the authorities of Germany, Finland, and Lithuania.
The ship Yi Peng 3 was in international waters in Denmark's Kattegat Strait, which prevented boarding and conducting procedural activities without China's consent.
The Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, informed that his government made an official request to China for cooperation, demanding, among other things, that the ship enter Swedish territorial waters.
On December 19, Swedish police, along with representatives from the authorities of China, Denmark, Germany, Finland, and Lithuania, boarded the Chinese ship. Two days later, Yi Peng 3 set off on its journey to Egypt.
