German, Chinese warships cross paths in Taiwan Strait, South China Sea
Metro Manila, Philippines — Two German navy ships have arrived in Manila for a goodwill visit, and encountered Chinese counterparts in the process.
The visit from Sept. 16 to 19 of the F125-class frigate Baden-Württemberg (F222) and the Berlin-class replenishment oiler Frankfurt am Main (A1412) is part of Germany’s broader Indo-Pacific deployment and exercise of freedom of navigation.
They encountered Chinese warships in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, triggering criticisms from Beijing at the weekend.
Rear Admiral Axel Schulz, commander of the German Navy’s 2nd Flotilla, confirmed the presence of Chinese warships in their transit.
“We passed through the Taiwan Strait to exercise our freedom of navigation, as these are international waters. We did encounter Chinese warships, but we were able to continue our passage without incident,” he said.
In response, China criticized Germany for raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
“The German side's actions increase security risks and send incorrect signals,” Chinese military spokesperson Li Xi said in a statement.
Schulz said Chinese warships were present when they navigated the South China Sea.
“The Chinese Navy has a significant geographical presence in the region, but we remain determined to exercise our rights in international waters,” he added.
German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfafernoshcke emphasized Germany’s commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
“We are firmly committed to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to upholding an international rules-based order. Our Indo-Pacific deployment demonstrates that, despite being 10,000 kilometers away, Germany is an active participant in regional security,” Pfafernoshcke said.
He countered China’s claims that external nations are interfering in regional matters.
“China’s assertion that we should not engage in regional issues is misguided. We have observed the Chinese Navy operating far beyond the South China Sea, including in the Mediterranean and the Strait of Gibraltar,” Pfafernoshcke said.
