Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In response to a report by Financial Times that Sweden criticized China for refusing to allow the Nordic country's main investigator on board a Chinese vessel which likely severed Baltic Sea cables, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday that, to her knowledge, China has invited representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark to participate in joint fact-finding investigations and has provided relevant data and information with them. 

The vessel, Yi Peng 3, had been anchored for an extended period to coordinate with the investigation. However, to ensure the health of the crew, the shipowner decided to resume the voyage after a comprehensive assessment and Chinese side has consulted with the relevant countries in advance, Mao noted.

Mao emphasized that China is willing to maintain communication with the relevant countries and cooperate in advancing the follow-up handling of the incident.

Global Times