Whereas the US and different nations, together with Canada, have despatched warships by way of the strait in current weeks, it might be the German navy’s first passage since 2002.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and says it has jurisdiction over the almost 180km-wide waterway in between. Taiwan strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says solely the island’s individuals can determine their future.
The Taiwan Strait is a significant commerce route by way of which about half of world container ships go, and each the US and Taiwan say it’s a world waterway.
The commander of the German naval activity group, Rear Admiral Axel Schulz, advised Reuters final month that such a passage would show Germany’s dedication to a rules-based order and the peaceable resolution of territorial conflicts.
The 2 German vessels are collaborating in workouts within the area with France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and the US.
Sailings by way of the waterway by international warships are commonly condemned by Beijing, which says they “undermine peace and stability” within the area.
Germany, for which each China and Taiwan are main commerce companions, has joined different Western nations in increasing its army presence within the area in response to Beijing’s rising territorial ambitions.