Germany Deploys 2 Warships to Indo-Pacific in Response to Growing Chinese Aggression in the Region
Recent military operations by Germany are seen as a result of a strategic shift in its China policy, moving away from its long-standing approach.
On May 7, Germany dispatched two warships to the Indo-Pacific region, with the possibility of passing through the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, German ground forces are set to conduct joint drills with Japan.
Observers note that these military actions represent a significant departure from Germany’s previous conduct and are a clear response to China’s escalating aggression in the region.
The supply ship Frankfurt am Main departed from Wilhelmshaven, Germany, while the frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg left the Spanish harbor of Rota. They plan to meet at sea before heading to Halifax, Canada, and the Indo-Pacific.
Tensions have escalated in the region due to China’s military provocations in the Taiwan Strait and its expansion in the disputed South China Sea.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed concerns about the threat these tensions pose to freedom of navigation and trade routes in his remarks at the navy base in Wilhelmshaven.
He emphasized the importance of Germany’s presence in the Indo-Pacific to uphold the international rules-based order, stating that “Presence matters.”
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Approximately 40 percent of Europe’s foreign trade transits through the South China Sea. The U.S.-led alliance has been conducting patrols in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
When asked about the possibility of German warships passing through the Taiwan Strait, Minister Pistorius mentioned that while several allied navy vessels have done so, no decision has been made yet.
During a visit to New Zealand, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indicated that German warships might navigate the Taiwan Strait.
In 2021, a German warship participated in a joint military drill in the South China Sea with Western allies, including the United States, marking the first such occasion in nearly two decades.
Next year, the German army is slated to conduct joint drills with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the first formal exercise between their land forces since World War II.
Retired Major General Yu Tsung-chi noted that these actions symbolize Germany’s readiness for a military alliance with Japan post-World War II, clearly aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party.
Discussing Germany’s recent military moves, Su Tze-yun, director of Defense Strategy and Resources at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan, highlighted the influence of the Russia-Ukraine war in shaping European perceptions of the CCP.
Changing Strategy
In July 2023, Germany unveiled its first comprehensive China strategy, signifying a significant shift in its policy direction concerning China, motivated by recent developments.
The strategy emphasizes the need for a revised approach toward China due to evolving geopolitical dynamics, particularly in light of China’s relationship with Russia and its unfair trade practices.
Reactions to Germany’s new China strategy underline a strategic turning point in European security, setting the stage for forthcoming implementation of policies to address growing threats.
Ultimately, the dispatch of warships to the Indo-Pacific region signifies Germany’s commitment to safeguarding stability in the Taiwan Strait and countering Chinese militarization efforts in the area.
Germany’s actions reflect a crucial step in deterring Chinese aggression and reinforcing regional security, particularly in vital trade routes like the Taiwan Strait.
Cheng Jing, Luo Ya, and Reuters contributed to this report.
