COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The Danish military confirmed on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 that it is closely monitoring a Chinese bulk carrier, Yi Peng 3, anchored in the Kattegat Strait between Denmark and Sweden.
The announcement comes just days after two fibre-optic telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea were severed in incidents now under investigation.
“The Danish Defense can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3,” the Danish military posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The statement provided no further details and made no direct connection to the recent cable breaches.
Cable Incidents Spark Suspicion
On Sunday, a data cable connecting Sweden and Lithuania was damaged, followed by another cable break on Monday between Finland and Germany.
Both incidents occurred within Sweden’s exclusive economic zone and have prompted a preliminary investigation by Swedish prosecutors on suspicion of sabotage.
Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin revealed Tuesday that ship movements in the area corresponded with the times and locations of the cable disruptions.
“We are analyzing all available data to understand what occurred,” Bohlin said.
The Yi Peng 3 left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15 and was in the vicinity of the damaged cables during the reported timeframes, according to MarineTraffic vessel tracking data.
However, other vessels were also in the area, making it unclear whether the Chinese ship played any role.
International Responses
China responded to inquiries by affirming its commitment to maritime laws and the protection of global infrastructure.
“We always require our vessels to abide by relevant laws and regulations,” a Chinese government spokesperson said during a press briefing.
“We also attach great importance to the protection of seabed infrastructure and are actively promoting the construction and protection of submarine cables.”
Russia, which has faced increasing accusations of hybrid warfare tactics targeting Western allies, denied involvement in the cable incidents.
“It is quite absurd to continue to blame Russia for everything without any reason,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
While no government has directly accused China or Russia of sabotaging the cables, the incidents have heightened tensions in a region already fraught with geopolitical challenges.
Uncommon Public Military Monitoring
Denmark’s decision to publicly acknowledge its surveillance of Yi Peng 3 is unusual.
Danish authorities rarely comment on specific ships passing through their waters, indicating heightened scrutiny given the circumstances.
A Danish naval patrol ship was seen anchored near the Chinese vessel, according to MarineTraffic data.
The Danish military has not elaborated on its presence or whether it suspects the Yi Peng 3 of involvement in the cable breaks.
Broader Security Implications
The severed cables have disrupted telecommunications in the Baltic region and raised concerns about the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure.
Submarine cables form the backbone of global communications and data transmission, carrying 95% of international internet traffic.
European governments have intensified efforts to secure critical infrastructure following past incidents, including the destruction of parts of the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year, which remains under investigation.
Sweden’s preliminary inquiry is expected to involve cooperation with neighbouring countries and NATO allies.
“This is a serious issue, and we are coordinating with our partners to determine the cause,” Swedish officials said.
As tensions rise in the Baltic, the shadowing of the Yi Peng 3 underscores growing concerns about maritime security and the potential for sabotage in international waters.
Investigations continue into what caused the cable disruptions and whether they were deliberate acts or accidents.
