Politics China signals willingness to cooperate after cable damage

Following Sweden's formal request in the case of the two damaged underwater cables in the Baltic Sea, China has signaled its willingness to cooperate. China is prepared to work with the countries concerned to bring the truth to light, said Foreign Office spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing.

According to her, China and Sweden are in close contact on the matter. Beijing reacted because the authorities of several countries are investigating the role of the Chinese freighter "Yi Peng 3" in the case.

Sweden has requested that the cargo ship sail to Swedish waters for investigation. The country also sent a formal request to China to cooperate with the Swedish authorities on Thursday, as Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a press conference. He made it clear that this was still not an accusation against anyone.

Ship still between Denmark and Sweden

On Thursday, Mao emphasized that the People's Republic had always taken a cooperative stance in dealing with such incidents. She referred to the ongoing exchange with the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, the "Yi Peng 3" owned by a Chinese shipping company, which has been targeted by investigators, remains unchanged in the Kattegat between Denmark and Sweden, currently flanked by a Danish and a German patrol vessel.

The two communication cables between the Finnish capital Helsinki and Rostock and between Sweden and Lithuania were damaged in quick succession around a week and a half ago. The Swedish authorities are investigating possible sabotage. The investigators had recently completed their crime scene investigations at the affected locations and are now analyzing the material. In the meantime, the Swedish-Lithuanian connection is working again. The cable between Helsinki and Rostock is scheduled to be repaired by the end of the month.