Chinese authorities have admitted that a vessel flying the Hong Kong flag was responsible for damaging a crucial gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea between Estonia and Finland last October. The incident, which Beijing claims was accidental and caused by severe weather conditions, is still under joint criminal investigation by Estonian and Finnish authorities.

The ship in question, the NewNew Polar Bear, is owned by NewNew Shipping Line, a mainland Chinese company. While China has conducted an internal investigation and shared its findings with European governments, the report is not considered official evidence in the ongoing criminal inquiry.

Estonian and Finnish officials are pressing Beijing for more information about the vessel and its crew. The Estonian prosecutor’s office has submitted a legal aid request to Chinese authorities, seeking to gather evidence. This process may involve Estonian investigators, though any activities on Chinese soil must comply with local laws.

The Balticconnector, the pipeline damaged in the incident, is a crucial piece of energy infrastructure in the Baltic region. Spanning 77 kilometers under the Gulf of Finland, it connects Inkoo, Finland, to Paldiski, Estonia. Jointly operated by Elering and Gasgrid, the pipeline has been operational since December 2019 and can transport up to 7.2 million cubic meters of gas daily in either direction.

Its primary purpose is to integrate gas markets in Finland and the Baltic states, enhancing supply flexibility and energy security for the region.

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