China demands ‘fair’ probe from Finland into gas pipeline damage

China’s foreign ministry on Monday called for an “objective, fair and professional” investigation into damage to the Baltic connector gas pipeline, adding that a Chinese vessel was sailing “normally” in the relevant waters.

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China and Finland have started communication over the matter, and China hopes that relevant parties can find out the truth as soon as possible, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing.

An investigation into the pipeline damage is focused on the role of the Chinese NewNew Polar Bear container vessel, Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said on Friday.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning attends a press conference in Beijing, China. (Reuters)

“It is understood that the Chinese vessel was normal in the relevant waters at the time of the incident, and no abnormalities were found due to the poor sea conditions at that time,” said Mao when addressing a question on the matter at the briefing.

She added that China had always advocated that the international community should strengthen cooperation and jointly safeguard the security of cross-border infrastructure.

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