China has granted permission for representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark to board a Chinese bulk carrier involved in an investigation into two undersea cable breaches in the Baltic Sea, according to Denmark’s foreign minister on Thursday.
The vessel, Yi Peng 3, has been stationed near Swedish waters for a month while Swedish and Chinese diplomats negotiated access to the ship. Sweden has sought the vessel’s cooperation since it is wanted for questioning in relation to the damage caused to two undersea fibre-optic cables in mid-November. The cables, which connect Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania, were cut between November 17-18, with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius suggesting the damage was likely sabotage.
Following a month-long standoff, Denmark facilitated a meeting earlier this week between the four countries and China to allow inspections. The Yi Peng 3, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15, has been anchored in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and Sweden.
Swedish police have joined the inspection as observers, though Chinese authorities are leading the investigation. Swedish prosecutors are continuing their inquiry into possible sabotage. While Western intelligence officials suspect the ship’s involvement in the cable cuts, there remains uncertainty over whether the damage was accidental or intentional.
