Sweden has formally requested China's cooperation in investigating the recent rupture of two data cables on the Baltic Sea bed. The cables, one connecting Finland to Germany and the other Lithuania to Sweden, were damaged in Swedish waters where a China-flagged vessel, Yi Peng 3, was sighted. The vessel is currently moored in international waters between Sweden and Denmark.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that Sweden desires the vessel to move to Swedish waters for inspection as part of the ongoing international investigation. Sweden has reached out to China to collaborate with Swedish authorities to clarify the incident.
During a security meeting of Baltic Sea region government leaders, Poland's Prime Minister expressed full support for Sweden's actions. Investigations into the cable ruptures have been initiated by Finnish, Swedish, and German authorities. Germany's defense minister suggested sabotage as a possible cause, although no evidence has been presented.
Chinese authorities in Beijing have stated their lack of information regarding the ship but expressed readiness to communicate with relevant parties. They emphasized the importance of protecting the vessel's navigation rights.
Last year, Sweden reported a deliberate rupture of a cable connecting its coast to Estonia under the Baltic Sea. The current situation underscores the significance of international cooperation in safeguarding critical infrastructure in the region.
