Staff Reports
Two critical undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea have been sliced like a butter stick, and the implications are as serious as a toothache during a candy convention. The severed cables, one extending an impressive 745 miles from Germany to Finland and the other a mere 135 miles connecting Lithuania to Sweden’s Gotland Island, were evidently the targets of sabotage between the wee hours of 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. on a Monday morning. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius quickly dismissed the notion that an accident could be to blame, suggesting a more sinister purpose behind this maritime mischief.
Circumstantial evidence is pointing fingers at the Chinese-flagged freighter Yi Peng 3, which is currently under the watchful eyes of the Danish patrol vessel HDMS Rota. The stakes are high, and whether Denmark will muster the courage to confront the vessel when it reaches their waters remains anyone’s guess. If history is any indication, however, courage is often lacking among European officials when faced with aggressive acts from Beijing. After all, who wants to poke the dragon when it seems happier just nibbling on cables?
This incident is reminiscent of a previous shenanigan involving another Chinese freighter, the Newnew Polar Bear. That vessel made headlines after dragging its anchor along a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia, resulting in considerable damage. Just like a seasoned hit-and-run driver, the Newnew Polar Bear managed to escape to the cozy confines of a Russian port. It seems that as long as the Chinese are allowed to operate without consequences, they may feel empowered to escalate their aggression on critical infrastructure.
Two Critical Data Cables Cut in the Baltic and It Looks Like the Prime Suspect Will Get Away With Ithttps://t.co/cKP3Os4elC
— RedState (@RedState) November 19, 2024
The reality is becoming clearer: China is embroiled in a hybrid conflict with the European Union, whether directly or as part of Russia’s regional escapades. Allowing the Yi Peng 3 to sail off into the sunset unfettered would send a resolute signal to Beijing that they can act freely without concern for international repercussions. In the world of diplomacy, sometimes a firm hand is more effective than a soft glove, and failure to address these attacks only whets the appetite for more aggression from China.
Repairing the cables is expected to take up to two weeks, redirecting traffic in the meantime, but what remains of greater concern is the long-term strategy—or lack thereof—of dealing with hostile actions from foreign powers. The situation begs a serious reassessment of how Europe will respond to such provocations moving forward. If these actions continue unchecked, one must wonder what critical infrastructure will be next on China’s target list.
