In a significant naval maneuver, German Navy ships recently traversed the Taiwan Strait, marking the first such passage by German military vessels in two decades. The transit, which occurred on September 13, 2023, involved the frigate FGS Baden-Wurttemberg and the logistics ship FGS Frankfurt am Main.
Rear Admiral Axel Schulz, commander of the German task group, reported that Chinese vessels closely monitored their passage. The Chinese ships transmitted radio messages asserting their claim over the South China Sea waters, to which the German ships responded by affirming their right to exercise freedom of navigation in international waters.
"They actually acted in a safe and professional manner, although they have let us know that we are not really welcome. But we haven't really experienced any dangerous situation whatsoever."
The Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometer-wide waterway separating Taiwan from mainland China, has been a focal point of geopolitical tension. The German ships' transit is part of a broader pattern of naval activities in the region, with vessels from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand also navigating these waters recently.
The German ships' presence in the Indo-Pacific is part of their country's second deployment to the region, aimed at conducting exercises with allies and partners while asserting freedom of the seas. This mission underscores Germany's commitment to the rules-based international order and its partners in the area.
Bettina Fanghanel, Germany's ambassador to Singapore, emphasized the importance of Germany's presence in the Indo-Pacific, stating, "Germany is not an Indo-Pacific power. We have vital interests in the Indo-Pacific. ... It's important for me to stress that we are here to stay, that this is a lasting engagement."
The FGS Baden-Wurttemberg, the lead ship of its class, is equipped with a 127-millimeter cannon and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Its design includes 80 spare berths beyond the crew capacity, providing flexibility for potential evacuation missions.
This naval activity occurs against a backdrop of increased Chinese military exercises around Taiwan. In late September 2023, China conducted an ICBM test, with the dummy warhead landing in the Pacific Ocean - the first such test since the 1980s. Confidential estimates suggest that China allocated approximately $15 billion, or 7% of its defense budget, to military activities around Taiwan in 2023.
As tensions persist in the region, the international community continues to navigate the delicate balance between asserting freedom of navigation and managing diplomatic relations in this strategically crucial area.