Chinese Freight Ship 'Yi Peng 3' Suspected in Sabotage of Two Baltic Undersea Data Cables

In mid-November 2024, two undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea—C-Lion 1 connecting Finland and Germany, and BCS-East-West Interlink linking Lithuania and Sweden's Gotland island—were deliberately damaged. Ship AIS data revealed the Chinese freighter 'Yi Peng 3' was in close proximity to both cables at times coinciding with cable failures. Following this, the vessel stopped moving and anchored in Danish waters near the strait between Denmark and Sweden. Danish naval ships closely monitored and escorted the ship, while German police prepared a support mission. German government officials and EU foreign ministers condemned the sabotage as a hybrid warfare threat. The incident follows a prior case in 2023 where another Chinese vessel damaged Baltic undersea infrastructure. The Chinese government affirmed the importance of protecting underwater infrastructure but declined detailed comment. The event highlights increased vigilance and coordination among Baltic Sea nations against hybrid threats targeting critical infrastructure.