Chinese envoy: Truth of Nord Stream pipelines explosions must not be covered up

The truth about the Nord Stream pipeline explosions should not be swept under the rug, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

At Russia's request, the UN Security Council on Tuesday convened an emergency meeting on the Nord Stream pipeline explosions that occurred three years ago.

Speaking at the meeting, Geng said that after the explosions, some members of the UN Security Council strongly argued for giving Sweden, Denmark and Germany time to conduct their respective national investigations. However, three years have passed, and there is still no definitive conclusions and the complete truth surrounding the explosions.

For a long time, the public could only rely on media exposure to obtain information and speculate on what had happened, which is abnormal, Geng said.

Noting China has taken note of reports about the recent arrest of a suspect, as well as the joint letter thereon addressed to the Council from Germany, Sweden and Denmark, Geng said, "This, however, does not suffice as a response to the doubts and concerns of the international community."

The Chinese envoy voiced the hope that Germany would expedite its investigations and judicial proceedings and promptly publish the progress and results via official channels.

"We hope relevant countries can communicate and cooperate with the main parties to the incident. We hope the Council will remain seized of the matter," said Geng. 

He reiterated that the investigations should not be politicized, similar incidents should not be allowed to recur, and the perpetrators should not walk free unpunished by law.

"On the explosions of the North Stream pipelines, the international community, rightfully, demands a truthful answer," he added.