Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated Tuesday that Sweden is requesting a Chinese ship to return to Swedish seas in order to assist with an inquiry into recent breaches of underwater fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea, but he made it clear that he was not leveling any charges.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he thought it was sabotage after two undersea cables, one connecting Sweden to Lithuania and the other connecting Finland and Germany, were destroyed in less than 24 hours on Nov. 17 and 18.
Last week, criminal investigations were opened by Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania, focusing on the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, which departed the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15. The ship’s whereabouts matched the time and location of the breaches, according to a Reuters review of MarineTraffic data.
Danish military warships keep a tight eye on the ship, which is now dormant in international seas but inside Denmark’s exclusive economic zone.
During a news conference, Kristersson stated, “From the Swedish side we have had contact with the ship and contact with China and said that we want the ship to move towards Swedish waters and add that it would help facilitate the investigation.”
“We want clarity on what has happened, but we’re not making any accusations,” Kristersson stated.When questioned about Sweden’s request, China’s foreign ministry stated that the lines of communication with Sweden and other pertinent parties were “unobstructed.”
At a routine press briefing on Wednesday, ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters, “I would like to reiterate China’s consistent support working with all countries to maintain the security of international submarine cables and other infrastructure in accordance with international law.”
Multiple Western intelligence officials have expressed their confidence that the cuts to both cables were caused by the Chinese ship. However, they have differing opinions about whether these were unintentional or maybe intentional.
According to a U.S. official, U.S. Naval Intelligence believes that both instances were accidents, although foreign officials have stated that sabotage cannot be completely ruled out.
While the vast majority of these breaches are accidents, Katja Bego, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, told Reuters that an inquiry was likely necessary due to the region’s geopolitical tensions. Between 150 and 200 of these breaches happen annually.
“Even if the culprit is found, as seems to be the case here, proving intent is extremely difficult,” she added, adding that investigations into occurrences like this may take a long time. “At this stage, neither sabotage nor an accident can be ruled out.”
Last Thursday, Russia called any idea that it was involved in the intrusions “absurd.”
Kristersson expressed optimism that China will grant the request to relocate the ship to Swedish seas. Beijing has kept “smooth communication” with all parties concerned, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday.
According to Finnish authorities, a Chinese ship dragging its anchor is thought to have caused the significant damage to an undersea gas pipeline and many telecom cables that run down the Baltic Sea’s bottom last year.
However, the investigators have not said if they think the 2023 damage was unintentional or deliberate.
