Investigators are studying a Hong Kong-flagged ship called NewNew Polar Bear which open-source tracking technology shows was in the Gulf of Finland on October 7 and 8.

"Estonia has been in contact with Chinese authorities to encourage cooperation concerning the investigation," a foreign ministry spokesperson said in an email to Reuters on Monday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) told "Aktuaalne kaamera": "We are hoping to get all the support we can from the Chinese side to get in touch with the owner of the ship, so that our experts from the inquiry committee can have a look with their own eyes at what has actually happened, because the kind of damage that took place under the sea will probably leave some traces on the ship."

On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China and Finland have started communication over the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and China hopes that the relevant parties can find the truth as soon as possible.

Spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing that China hopes for an "objective, fair and professional" investigation.

"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," she said.  

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