Swedish authorities reported Monday that China has refused their request to allow prosecutors aboard a Chinese vessel suspected of involvement in damaging undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, despite China's public claims of cooperation.
The ship in question, Yi Peng 3, was tracked sailing over two fiber-optic cables - one connecting Sweden and Lithuania, and another linking Finland to Germany - when they were severed on November 17-18 in Swedish waters near the islands of Gotland and Öland.
While Chinese officials permitted Swedish police to board the vessel as observers during a Chinese-led investigation last week, they denied access to Swedish prosecutors seeking to conduct their own preliminary investigation.
"China has not listened to our request that the prosecutor should be able to conduct a preliminary investigation onboard," said Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. She emphasized that Sweden maintains its position that prosecutors must be allowed to carry out investigative measures.
The Yi Peng 3 departed from its anchorage in the Kattegat strait between Sweden and Denmark on Saturday, where it had been monitored by multiple countries since the incident. China's foreign ministry stated the departure was necessary for the crew's wellbeing after an extended period at anchor.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China remains "willing to maintain communication and cooperation" with involved countries, noting they had provided documentation and invited regional authorities to participate in their investigation.
The cable damage has raised concerns among European officials, with some suggesting possible sabotage connected to Russia's invasion of Ukraine - claims the Kremlin has dismissed as "absurd."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had previously requested China's cooperation in investigating the suspected sabotage. As the vessel has now departed, Swedish authorities indicate they will continue diplomatic discussions with China while awaiting findings from their ongoing investigation.