Experts Suspect Chinese Hand Behind Finland-Estonia Gas Pipeline Damage

Western officials and analysts are suspicious about the involvement of a Chinese container ship in damaging the Balticconnector Gas Pipeline.

An investigation by Finnish authorities has identified the main suspect as the Chinese container ship Newnew Polar Bear, which is believed to have dragged its anchor on the pipeline, causing significant damage.

The Balticconnector Gas Pipeline is a critical piece of energy infrastructure that transports gas between Finland and Estonia. The damage to the pipeline occurred in December 2022 and has since been repaired.

Western officials and analysts suspect that the damage was not accidental and that the Chinese container ship may have intentionally targeted the pipeline.

This suspicion is based on several factors, including the fact that the Newnew Polar Bear is owned by a Chinese state-owned shipping company and that the ship was sailing in a restricted area at the time of the incident.

The Finnish government has not yet publicly accused China of being responsible for the damage to the pipeline, but the investigation is ongoing.

If China is found to be responsible, it could have serious consequences for relations between China and the West.