Finnish President Sauli Niinisto reported "constructive" talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last Wednesday regarding the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline, though details of China's cooperation in the investigation remain unclear.

Finnish authorities identified the Hong Kong-flagged container ship NewNew Polar Bear as the prime suspect in the 2023 incident, though whether it was accidental or deliberate is still under investigation. A large anchor believed to belong to the vessel was found near the damaged section, suggesting it dragged across the seabed.

While Finland welcomed China's pledge of full cooperation in November, the nature of its assistance remains undisclosed. Niinisto's office stated only that the presidents "noted the constructive dialogue between the countries regarding the case."

The lack of specifics regarding China's involvement in the pipeline probe raises questions about the extent of its cooperation and potential next steps in the investigation as the incident remains a delicate point in Finland-China relations, particularly following Finland's NATO accession last year.