Stockholm, November 29, 2024 — Sweden has formally urged China to cooperate in the investigation of two severed undersea communication cables that disrupted internet and telecommunication services in the Baltic Sea last month. The cables, linking Sweden, Estonia, and Finland, were mysteriously damaged, sparking security concerns and prompting international scrutiny.
Swedish authorities have not directly accused Beijing of involvement but emphasized the need for global cooperation to address potential security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. In a statement, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said, “Undersea cables are vital for international connectivity and economic stability. We call on all nations, including China, to work transparently to ensure the safety of this shared infrastructure.”
The call for cooperation follows a Swedish investigation suggesting that the damage was caused by external interference, possibly involving foreign state actors. While officials have not released specific evidence pointing to China, heightened tensions between European nations and Beijing over issues like cybersecurity and espionage have led to broader concerns.
China’s Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to Sweden’s request but has previously dismissed allegations of involvement in such incidents, urging countries to avoid politicizing technical matters.
The Baltic Sea cables incident comes amidst increasing geopolitical friction in the region, with Russia also facing scrutiny. Swedish and Finnish investigators have yet to determine who is responsible, but NATO allies have been alerted to bolster the protection of critical infrastructure.
Undersea cables are responsible for carrying 95% of global internet traffic, making them a crucial target for sabotage or espionage. As global dependence on these networks grows, so does the urgency for international safeguards against attacks. Sweden’s outreach to China highlights the interconnected nature of these vulnerabilities, demanding multilateral solutions.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Sweden collaborating closely with its Baltic neighbors and European Union partners. Meanwhile, the incident underscores the growing risks posed to the infrastructure that underpins the modern digital world.
