[6] As a response to the theory published in The Wall Street Journal, naval journalist Tom Sharpe argued in the The Daily Telegraph that this scenario was unlikely, since a normal anchor was too heavy and offered too much resistance to be dragged around at the seven knots speed Yi Peng 3 was travelling at the time, according to the Automatic identification system (AIS) data.

[9] Press requests for updates with Danish, German and Swedish authorities did not produce any new findings or no information was given with reference to ongoing investigations, as late as 15 December 2024, while Yi Peng 3 remained at the same position.

[10] On 17 December 2024 the Russian Navy Sea rescue tug Yevgeniy Churov was reported to have approached the anchored Yi Peng 3, passing it at very low speed and with its own AIS transmitter turned off.

[11] On 18 December 2024 Chinese authorities allowed German and Swedish investigators to board Yi Peng 3, but the mission was postponed due to bad weather.

[12] The Chinese investigation team, accompanied by the western observers, questioned the crew, inspected relevant pieces of equipment and reviewed documents.