Sweden has formally requested cooperation from China to explain the recent rupture of two data cables on the Baltic Sea bed, which occurred in an area where a China-flagged vessel had been sighted. The two cables, one running from Finland to Germany and the other from Lithuania to Sweden, were damaged in Swedish waters last week, suspected to be deliberately severed by the Yi Peng 3 bulk carrier dragging its anchor along the seabed. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized the importance of finding out exactly what happened and requested the ship to move to Swedish waters, expecting China to comply with the request.
The Norwegian foundation NORSAR reported no “seismic signals” in the area, suggesting no explosions occurred. The Yi Peng 3 is currently anchored in international waters between Sweden and Denmark, under surveillance by multiple vessels. Other incidents in the Baltic Sea region, including damage to the Nord Stream pipelines and the Balticconnector gas pipeline, have raised concerns about safe navigation in the area.
Authorities from Finland, Sweden, and Germany have initiated investigations into the rupture of the fibre-optic cables, with Germany’s defence minister suggesting sabotage as a possible cause. Chinese authorities in Beijing denied any responsibility for the incident involving the China-flagged vessel and expressed readiness to communicate with relevant parties. Leaders from the Baltic Sea region expressed solidarity with Sweden’s efforts to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the area.
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