Sweden has formally requested China’s cooperation in investigating the recent damage to two undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea. The incident occurred in an area where a Chinese-flagged ship, the Yi Peng 3, was sighted, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday.
The damaged cables connect Finland to Germany and Lithuania to Sweden and were found in Swedish waters last week. The Yi Peng 3, a bulk carrier, was observed in the vicinity and is now anchored in international waters between Sweden and Denmark.
Speaking at a press conference in Harpsund, Kristersson emphasized Sweden’s intent to bring the vessel into Swedish waters for inspection as part of an ongoing international investigation.
“Sweden has expressed our desire for the ship to move to Swedish waters, and we are in contact with China regarding this matter," Kristersson said. “In addition, Sweden has sent a formal request to China to cooperate with Swedish authorities to clarify the situation."
The statement followed a high-level security meeting involving leaders from the Baltic Sea region. At the same event, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk extended strong support to Sweden, expressing “full solidarity and trust” in Sweden’s actions to safeguard regional interests.
Authorities from Sweden, Finland, and Germany have launched investigations into the incident. Germany’s defense minister suggested that the damage may have been caused by sabotage, although there is no definitive evidence yet.
Chinese officials in Beijing earlier stated they had no information about the ship but expressed readiness to maintain communication with the concerned parties. They also emphasized the protection of the vessel’s rights to normal navigation.
This incident follows a similar event last year when Sweden reported that a cable running from its coast to Estonia had been deliberately damaged.
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