Sweden has requested China’s cooperation in investigating damaged undersea cables. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that his government had sent a formal request to China to cooperate with Swedish authorities in creating clarity on the incident. Tensions have been heightened in the Baltic Sea since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with previous incidents involving damage to undersea infrastructure.
Swedish Prime Minister’s Statement
On Investigation and Cooperation with China
On Thursday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference that his government had “sent a formal request to China to co-operate with Swedish authorities in order to create clarity on what has happened”. He also reiterated an earlier request for the ship to move back into Swedish waters so it could be searched as part of the investigation, though added that he was not making an “accusation” of any sort.
Previous Incidents
Heightened Tension in the Baltic Sea
The period since Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has seen heightened tension in the Baltic Sea and a number of incidents involving damage to undersea infrastructure. In September 2022, a series of explosions blew holes in the two Nord Stream gas pipelines between western Europe and Russia, and in October 2023 damage was done to an undersea telecoms cable between Estonia and Sweden.
German Defence Minister’s Statement
Suspicions of Sabotage
Speaking last week, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said of the latest incident that “nobody believes that these cables were cut accidentally”, though he did not specify who he believed was responsible. Russia has rejected suggestions it could have been involved as “absurd” and “laughable”.
Background
The incident occurred on November 17-18, when two undersea cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea.
Details of the Damage
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The Arelion cable between the Swedish island of Gotland and Lithuania was damaged.
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The C-Lion 1 cable between the Finnish capital Helsinki and the German port of Rostock was severed.
Investigation and Response
Investigations suspect that the Chinese ship Yi Peng Three deliberately damaged the cables by dropping and dragging its anchor along the seabed for more than 160km (100 miles).
Official Reactions
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Sweden has formally asked China to co-operate with an investigation into the damage.
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Beijing has denied any involvement in sabotage, but is willing to work with Sweden and other countries to find out what happened.
Context
The period since Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has seen heightened tension in the Baltic Sea and a number of incidents involving damage to undersea infrastructure.
Incident Details
The cables – one linking Sweden to Lithuania and the other between Finland and Germany – were damaged in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea on 17 and 18 November. A Chinese ship, the Yi Peng Three, is believed to have been in the area at the time and has since been anchored in international waters off Denmark.
Investigation
Data from ship tracking websites suggest the Yi Peng Three sailed over the cables at around the time that each was cut. According to the Wall Street Journal, investigators suspect the ship deliberately damaged the cables by dropping and dragging its anchor along the seabed for more than 160km (100 miles).
China’s Response
Beijing has denied any involvement in sabotage and on Friday said it was willing to work with Sweden and other countries to find out what happened. The Yi Peng Three left the Russian port of Ust-Luga, west of St Petersburg, on 15 November.
