Sweden says China denied full access to ship linked to cut cables

Foreign minister says prosecutors not allowed to investigate on board Yi Peng 3

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STOCKHOLM - Sweden's foreign minister said on Dec 23 that China had denied a request for prosecutors to conduct an investigation on a Chinese ship linked to two severed Baltic Sea cables despite Beijing pledging "cooperation" with the regional authorities.

Sections of two telecoms cables were cut on Nov 17 and 18 in Swedish territorial waters. Suspicions have been directed at the Yi Peng 3, which according to ship tracking sites had sailed over the cables around the time they were cut.

The Yi Peng 3 had been anchored in the international waters of the Kattegat Strait between Sweden and Denmark.

Ship tracking site VesselFinder showed the Yi Peng 3 heading north out of the strait on Dec 21.

Beijing on Dec 23 confirmed the ship had left "to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the crew".

"The shipowner company, after a comprehensive evaluation and consultation with relevant parties, decided to resume operations," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

"China has notified all relevant countries in advance," she added.