Sweden's diplomatic tug-of-war with China has escalated over the investigation of two damaged undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, with both countries grappling over accusations of transparency and cooperation.
The cables—one linking Sweden to Lithuania and the other connecting Finland to Germany—were severed on November 17 and 18, 2022, within Swedish territorial waters near the islands of Gotland and Öland. This incident immediately raised alarms about potential sabotage, especially considering geopolitical tensions heightened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Suspicion has been directed at the Chinese freighter Yi Peng 3, which was tracked sailing over the cables shortly before they were cut. While the ship was moored in the Kattegat strait between Sweden and Denmark for over a month, it has since resumed its voyage, prompting heated exchanges between Swedish and Chinese officials.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard publicly criticized China for denying requests from Swedish prosecutors to board the Yi Peng 3 for investigative purposes. "Our request for Swedish prosecutors together with, among others, the police should be allowed to take certain investigative measures within the framework of the preliminary investigation on board remains," she emphasized.
Chinese authorities, represented by foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, countered by asserting their cooperation with the investigation. "The shipowner company, after a comprehensive evaluation and consultation with relevant parties, decided to resume operations," she stated, signaling China's perspective on maintaining operational integrity for the vessel's crew.
This diplomatic clash is compounded by the presence of other European nations. Officials from Sweden, Germany, and Finland were invited to board the vessel and observe the investigation conducted by China. A Danish representative also took part, reflecting the broader regional interest. Despite this, the Swedish prosecutor leading the investigation was not allowed access, which has fueled frustration within Sweden's government circles.
The investigation timeline shows the Yi Peng 3 departed the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15, just prior to the cables being damaged. The swift movements of the ship, tracked by various maritime monitoring services, have led some officials, including German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, to suspect deliberate sabotage. "It is clear to assume this was sabotage," he remarked, echoing fears shared by many European experts on security.
Relations have been increasingly strained, with China asserting it's been transparent but Sweden calling for more comprehensive cooperation. European leaders have expressed concerns, hinting at the possibility of broader strategic ramifications linked to past incidents of reported sabotage, including the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.
On December 19, when Swedish police were allowed to observe operations on board the Yi Peng 3, they were not granted the authority to draw any investigative conclusions. Prosecutor Henrik Soderman stated, "No measures as part of the Swedish judicial probe had been taken, including questioning crew members or technical investigations,” illustrating the limitations of the current phase of the inquiry.
Stenergard maintained optimism about improved dialogue with China. "We have great respect for the preliminary investigation being conducted independently and we are still waiting for its findings," she noted, indicating Sweden's desire for constructive engagement moving forward.
Beijing has denied accusations from various quarters, including the Kremlin, which labeled such claims as "absurd" and "laughable." European officials have connected the dots between the cable sabotage and the strategic environment created by Russia’s aggressive military stance.
Adding another layer to this complex web, tensions over undersea infrastructure have grown since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine. Past incidents, like the explosion of the Nord Stream pipelines, linger ominously, casting suspicion over any perceived vulnerabilities along Europe’s maritime borders.
The stakes are undeniably high, with the Baltic Sea serving as both geographical and geopolitical frontline. Continued dialogue will be key to de-escalate tensions triggered by the severing of these cables and to prevent similar incidents from threatening the stability of the region.
