German military ships in Taiwan Strait increase security risks: China
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Chinese military spokesperson Li Xi the People's Liberation Army would "resolutely counter all threats and provocations."
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The Berlin-class replenishing ship A 1412 Frankfurt am Main of the German Navy (Bundesmarine) leaves its home port Wilhelmshaven, northwestern Germany, for the Indo-Pacific Deployment, on May 7, 2024. (Photo by FOCKE STRANGMANN / AFP)
China accused Berlin on Saturday of exacerbating security risks in the Taiwan Strait, following the passage of two German military vessels through the sensitive waters the previous day.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed on Friday that the frigate Baden-Württemberg and the supply vessel Frankfurt am Main had transited the strait.
"The German side's behaviour increases security risks and sends incorrect signals," Chinese military spokesperson Li Xi warned in a statement.
While US and other international military vessels frequently navigate the strait, this marks the first time in over two decades that German naval ships have done so, according to German media reports.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and claims sovereignty over the strait that lies between the island and mainland China.
Germany and other nations maintain that such passages are routine, emphasizing the principle of freedom of navigation.
Li confirmed that the People's Liberation Army had deployed naval and aerial forces to "monitor and warn off" the German vessels and would "resolutely counter all threats and provocations."
According to German Defence Ministry officials, the two vessels were en route from South Korea to the Philippines. Pistorius noted that the chosen route was "the shortest".
"It is the safest route given the weather conditions. And these are international waters, so we are sailing through them," he added.
Despite Taiwan's limited diplomatic recognition, it has robust alliances with Western nations, notably the United States, its primary weapons supplier.
In response to the vessel transit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "There is not much to say... it’s an international waterway."
Earlier this week, Taiwan said it "welcomes and affirms Germany, along with the US, Canada and the Netherlands, for taking actions to demonstrate the legal status of the Taiwan Strait as international waters, while defending freedom of navigation and maintaining regional peace at the same time."
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