Two German naval vessels recently traversed the Taiwan Strait, marking the first such passage by German warships in over two decades. The frigate Baden-Württemberg and supply ship Frankfurt am Main made the journey on Friday, as confirmed by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
This transit occurred despite objections from China, which claims sovereignty over the waters. Pistorius defended the move, stating, “International waters are international waters,” and explaining that the route was chosen for its brevity and safety given weather conditions.
The Taiwan Strait, a busy maritime corridor situated between mainland China and Taiwan, has been a point of contention in recent years. While most nations, including the United States and its allies, maintain that the strait is open for free navigation, China asserts control over these waters.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported monitoring the German vessels as they sailed southward through the strait, noting that the situation remained normal throughout the passage.
China’s response to the transit was swift and critical. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed opposition to what she termed “any act of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation that harms China’s sovereignty and security.” Mao emphasized that the Taiwan issue is not about navigational freedom but rather concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Chinese stance on the Taiwan Strait’s status is unequivocal. According to Mao, the waters extending from both shores to the middle of the strait encompass China’s internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone. Beijing insists that countries should navigate the area in accordance with Chinese and international laws.
This transit by German warships aligns with similar actions taken by other nations in recent years. The United States Navy regularly conducts freedom of navigation operations through the strait. Other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, have also sent warships through these waters, often drawing criticism from China.
The German transit comes at a time of heightened cross-strait tensions. The recent election of Lai Ching-te in Taiwan, coupled with increased Chinese military exercises and incursions into Taiwanese airspace and waters, has exacerbated concerns about regional stability.
China has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, a stance that continues to worry the international community, particularly the United States and its allies. There are growing fears about the possibility of a Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan.
The passage of the German warships through the Taiwan Strait reflects a broader trend of Western nations asserting their right to navigate these waters freely. It also underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region, where competing claims of sovereignty and international norms of free navigation collide.
As tensions persist, such transits are likely to remain a point of contention between China and Western nations. The international community continues to grapple with balancing respect for territorial claims with the principle of freedom of navigation in vital maritime corridors like the Taiwan Strait.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining regional stability and the delicate diplomatic balance required to navigate the complex relationships between China, Taiwan, and Western powers in the Indo-Pacific region.