Written by Anne Kaulanen and Liz Lee
HELSINKI/BEIJING (Reuters) – Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö said on Wednesday he had held constructive talks with the Chinese president. Xi Jinping Regarding the damage sustained last year to the Baltic Connector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia.
Finnish police named the Hong Kong-flagged NewNew Polar Bear container ship as the prime suspect in the gas pipeline damage, saying last year it was too early to say whether it was an accident or a deliberate act.
A large anchor, believed to belong to a Chinese ship, was found near the pipeline, and investigators said the pipe likely broke as the anchor was dragged across the ocean floor.
Finland said in November that China had pledged full cooperation in the pipeline investigation.
After the meeting with Xi, the Finnish president’s office said in a statement on Wednesday: “The two presidents took note of the constructive dialogue between the two countries on the Baltic Connector pipeline issue.”
Chinese state television CCTV quoted Xi as saying that China has deep friendly relations with Finland and that the two countries have expanded cooperation in recent years.
“In the face of the current complex and difficult international situation, China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Finland to enhance stability in a turbulent world,” CCTV quoted Xi as saying.
The broadcaster did not mention the pipeline.
Finland said Niinistö and Xi discussed global political issues as well as other bilateral relations.
(Reporting by Anne Kaulanen in Helsinki and Liz Li in Beijing; Writing by Louise Broisch Rasmussen; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Christina Fincher)