[ad_1]
As part of an investigation into the damage to the underwater gas pipeline, Balticconnector managed to establish contact with China, whose vessels may have been involved in the incident. Finnish President Alexander Stubb made the announcement at a press conference.
According to him, at the official level, there has been a dialogue with the Chinese side from the very beginning. In this sense, we have established good communication and cooperation with the Chinese authorities, he added, as reported by Yle.
The Finnish president noted that “Chinese media have now reported on the activities of the ‘New New Polar Bear’ and the investigation is still ongoing,” referring to Beijing’s admission that its ships were involved in possible damage to the gas pipeline.
The Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia was found damaged on the evening of Saturday, October 7, 2023, and on Sunday, October 8. Telecommunication cables were also damaged.
The main version of the investigation is considered to be the damage caused by the anchor of the Chinese merchant ship “Xinxin Polar Bear”, which was sailing to St. Petersburg and passed the gas pipeline. Traces of the anchor were found on the seabed, and the severed anchor itself was also found near the site of the pipeline rupture. The ship was found anchored in St. Petersburg without a second anchor.
Finland said an investigation into the Balticconnector incident was still ongoing and its results would not be known until the autumn.
[ad_2]
Source link
