Estonian prosecutors said on Tuesday (May 28) that the Chinese authorities have not responded to their request for assistance in investigating a Chinese vessel suspected of severing two undersea telecommunications cables in Estonia six months ago.
According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, on October 7-8 last year, two undersea cables connecting Estonia to Finland and Sweden were damaged, along with a natural gas pipeline to Estonia and Finland. Finnish investigators suspect this may have been a sabotage incident, affecting energy security and raising concerns for neighboring countries.
Both Estonia and Finland have identified the container ship “NewNew Polar Bear,” registered in Hong Kong, as a prime suspect in the case.
Estonian Chief Prosecutor Triinu Olev stated in a release on Tuesday, “The Chinese authorities have not responded to the request for legal assistance.” “We need to gather more evidence to determine if the damages were intentional or accidental.”
Olev’s spokesperson informed Reuters last December that the request was made on November 10 of last year, and Finland also issued a separate legal assistance request to China.
According to data from MarineTraffic, a vessel tracking and maritime analysis provider, the Chinese ship was present at all three locations where the undersea cables and gas pipeline were damaged, while en route to St. Petersburg, Russia.
Investigators found a large anchor believed to belong to the Chinese vessel near the damaged pipelines. They believe the damage to the gas pipeline and telecommunications cables may have occurred when the anchor was dragged across the seabed.
On Wednesday (May 29), the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated, “The relevant department of China is reviewing and handling the incident in accordance with the law. China is willing to maintain communication with Estonia on this matter.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maoming stated during a routine press briefing on Wednesday, “China will actively study the request for judicial assistance based on domestic laws and relevant treaty provisions.”
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation stated last month that they had been “cooperating to resolve” the pipeline damage issue with the Chinese authorities, and the investigation has progressed.
Since the incident, NATO has increased patrols in the Baltic Sea, and the Norwegian Navy tracked the “NewNew Polar Bear” as it passed through their important natural gas pipeline.