Deutsche Welle Chinese Edition recently reported that the German military has so far maintained a low-key attitude regarding news that the German frigate Baden-Württemberg may transit the Taiwan Strait. The frigate Baden-Württemberg and the supply ship Frankfurt are performing patrol missions in the Pacific Ocean and are currently visiting South Korea. The two German warships have previously participated in United Nations supervision missions on the implementation of sanctions against North Korea. German Rear Admiral Axel Schulz said during a visit to South Korea’s Port of Incheon that safe and reliable maritime routes, especially from Southeast Asia to Europe and North America, are a prerequisite for economic prosperity for all countries. He said, “we are here to maintain freedom of navigation in international waters.” Schulz also emphasized that broadcasting the ship’s sailing plan would violated mission safety regulations. He said that he has “no reason to disclose the route of the voyage.”
The German fleet’s next stop is Manila. If the German frigate passes through the Taiwan Strait, it will be the first time since 2002 that a German warship has sailed through this narrow strait between mainland China and Taiwan. Earlier in May this year, Berlin stated that it would not rule out the possibility of a German naval frigate passing through the Taiwan Strait. Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China firmly opposes any country provoking or threatening China’s sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation. Schulz also said in Incheon that, “the overall goal of this deployment is to reaffirm Germany’s commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.”
Source: DW Chinese, September 7, 2024
https://p.dw.com/p/4kO7B