Sweden Asks Chinese Ship Suspected Of Sabotage Of Damaged Cables In Baltic Sea To Return For Investigation

Sweden has asked China to allow one of its vessels, the Yi Peng 3, to return to Swedish waters to help with an ongoing investigation into the recent damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed the request on November 26, saying that Sweden is not accusing the Chinese vessel of any wrongdoing and that it wants to clarify the matter.

On November 17 and 18, two subsea cables, one linking Sweden to Lithuania and the other connecting Finland to Germany, were damaged within a 24-hour, which raised suspicions of sabotage.

The damage initiated investigations by Swedish and Finnish authorities, who think it was a deliberate action. The cables are essential for communication and data transfers between the countries.

The Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier, was in the area of the damaged cables around the time of the incident.

Per the traffic data, the ship departed from Russia’s Ust-Luga port on November 15, passing through the area when the cables were severed. The ship is now anchored in international waters off Denmark’s coast but remains inside Denmark’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Despite its current position, the ship has been under surveillance by various maritime authorities, including Denmark’s military and Sweden’s coast guard.

Kristersson said that Swedish authorities had been in contact with the Yi Peng 3 and Chinese officials, requesting the ship to move toward Swedish waters, where the cable damage occurred, adding that the investigation remains in its early stages.

The damage to the cables has raised political concerns in Europe, especially with Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius saying that “nobody believes” the cables were accidentally cut.

He said that the incident could be a form of hybrid warfare, while Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also suspects of sabotage.

Both countries are concerned about the increasing similar activities. Last year, Finnish authorities linked a subsea gas pipeline and telecommunications cables to a Chinese vessel dragging its anchor, though it was unclear whether the damage was accidental or intentional.

Legal and jurisdictional issues have complicated the situation. The Yi Peng 3 is currently anchored just outside Denmark’s territorial waters in its exclusive economic zone. However, Denmark has limited authority to take action in this area without permission from China.

Legal experts have clarified that without proper evidence of environmental crimes, Denmark cannot board the ship without the flag state’s consent.

Negotiations are taking place between China, Denmark and Sweden, with Sweden hoping that China will cooperate and allow the ship to enter Swedish waters for further inspection.

If China denies the request, authorities risk legal consequences if they proceed without permission.

Meanwhile, China has denied any involvement in the incident. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that Beijing had maintained smooth communication with all parties involved but did not provide further details.

Finland’s criminal investigation into the incident includes charges of aggravated criminal mischief, as the damage disrupted critical communications infrastructure.

The European countries are working together to gather more information, with Denmark’s military assets monitoring the Yi Peng 3 while Swedish and German ships keep watch.

References: Reuters, Bloomberg

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