China naval development 'explosive' - Berlin
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As tensions escalate in the Asia Pacific, Germany voices concerns over China's naval deployment in the region.
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German navy chief Vice-admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach
The Chinese naval power is growing at an "explosive" pace, German navy chief Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach told CNBC in an interview.
"Indeed… it’s explosive. Of course, I can understand the political leaders in China," Schonbach said. "The question is if they fit into the international rules-based order."
Schonbach claimed that every four years, China increases the size of its navy by the equivalent of the entire French navy.
Vice Admiral Schonbach's interview came as the German frigate Bayern is docked in Singapore as part of a six-month Asia-Pacific deployment.
The frigate is sailing through the South China Sea, where tensions have been escalating over China's security concerns regarding parts of the western Pacific.
In November, the navy chief had promised his country's commitment to allies in confronting North Korea and a "threatening situation" in the western Pacific in a failed attempt to hide nods at China.
Germany's frigate, the Bayern, sailed into the South China Sea, marking a first in 20 years for Germany, which joined other EU nations in expanding their military presence in the region.
Berlin's Defense Ministry had said Wednesday the German navy vessel had begun the transit through the South China sea toward Singapore.
