China has issued a stern warning to Germany, accusing it of escalating security risks after two German Navy ships sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
The incident has heightened tensions between the two nations, as China views the passage of foreign military vessels through the strait as a provocation.
A spokesperson for the Chinese military, Li Shi, stated on Saturday, "Germany’s actions are increasing security risks and sending the wrong signals."
He emphasized that Chinese forces in the region are prepared to "firmly counter any threats and provocations."
This warning comes after Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, confirmed that the German frigate Baden-Württemberg and a supply ship had sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday.
The Taiwan Strait, a strategically important waterway, has been a hotspot of geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and Western nations.
In recent months, both US and Canadian warships have also made similar transits, prompting heightened alerts from the Chinese military, which views these passages as a direct challenge to its claims over Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has stated its readiness to reclaim the island, by force if necessary.
Germany, along with other nations, maintains that these naval operations are routine and fall under the principle of freedom of navigation.
However, the German government, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has adopted a firmer stance toward China in response to growing economic and geopolitical rivalries.
Berlin faces the delicate task of balancing its strategic interests while preserving economic ties with one of its largest trading partners.
In response to the German ships' passage, Li stated that Chinese naval and air forces were dispatched to "monitor and warn" the vessels during their transit. The situation adds to the growing complexities in international relations surrounding Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
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