Sweden has officially requested China’s cooperation in clarifying the recent damage to two data cables on the Baltic Sea floor, located in an area where a Chinese-flagged vessel was reported. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed this on Thursday.
The cables, one connecting Finland to Germany and the other linking Lithuania to Sweden, were both severed in Swedish waters last week, near where the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier, was spotted. The ship has been anchored in international waters between Sweden and Denmark. Kristersson stated during a press conference in Harpsund that Sweden is seeking to have the vessel relocated to Swedish waters to facilitate an inspection as part of the ongoing international inquiry.
Kristersson said, “As I had said before, Sweden has expressed our desire for the ship to move to Swedish waters and we are in contact with China from Sweden.
“Today I can also tell you that in addition to that Sweden has also sent a formal request to China to cooperate with Swedish authorities in order to create clarity on what has happened.”
The statement was made following a security meeting with Baltic Sea region leaders. Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, voiced his country’s “full solidarity and full support,” affirming confidence in Sweden’s reliability in handling the matter in the interests of all Baltic nations.
Authorities from Finland, Sweden, and Germany have launched investigations into the cable damage. Germany’s defence minister suggested the incident might have been the result of sabotage, though no definitive evidence has yet been found.
Earlier this month, Chinese officials in Beijing claimed they had no information on the ship but expressed readiness to “maintain communication” with the relevant parties, while calling for the protection of the vessel’s rights to navigate freely.
Frances Ibiefo
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