BEIJING (Reuters) – China has provided information and documents to a joint investigation into two cables crossing the Baltic Sea, and has invited Germany, Sweden, Finland and Denmark to participate and complete the investigation, the foreign ministry said on Monday.
Foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning made the comments in a press release when asked about a Financial Times report that Sweden had criticized China for refusing full access without an open investigation, and not allowing its public prosecutor to board the suspect vessel, the Yi Peng 3.
A Chinese bulk carrier is leaving again after more than a month in Danish waters, the Swedish coast guard said on Saturday. China allowed representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland and Denmark to board the ship for the investigation last week.
“In order to cooperate with the investigation, the Yi Peng 3 has been suspended for a long time, and in order to preserve the physical and mental health of the crew, the ship's own company has decided to resume its voyage after extensive examination and consultation with the relevant parties,” said Mao.
He added that China has notified all relevant countries in advance and is willing to maintain communication and cooperation.
Yi Peng 3 came under investigation after the breach of two fiber-optic cables in November – one connecting Finland and Germany and the other connecting Sweden and Lithuania – which raised suspicions of sabotage and concerns about the safety of the infrastructure.