China warnt Deutschland vor Seedurchquerung der Taiwanstraße | Taiwan-Nachrichten | 9. September 2024, 18:20 Uhr

Submission statement:
China warns Germany against naval transit of Taiwan Strait

China claims Taiwan Strait as its ‘internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone’

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Beijing warned Berlin against provocation on Monday (Sept. 9) after reports emerged that German warships would navigate the Taiwan Strait later this month.

Two German warships are reportedly set to transit the Taiwan Strait in mid-September, marking the first passage by German naval vessels through the strait in 22 years. In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its opposition to the planned transit.

When asked to comment on the potential German passage, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning (毛寧) said, “The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair.” She claimed that the foundation for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait relies on “firmly opposing ‘Taiwan independence.’”

Mao said that China respects the rights of countries to navigate in relevant waters under Chinese and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “However, we firmly oppose the relevant countries using the banner of freedom of navigation to provoke and harm China’s sovereignty and security,” she added.

Mao claimed that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.” She emphasized that her ministry had previously asserted that the waters of the Taiwan Strait are divided into “internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone.”

On Saturday (Sept. 7), Der Spiegel reported that two German warships are scheduled to transit the Taiwan Strait in mid-September. The report, citing unnamed sources, said Beijing would not receive formal notification of the German ships’ passage, underscoring Berlin’s stance that it considers the transit a routine operation.

In recent weeks, the US and Canada have also sent warships through the Taiwan Strait. If Germany follows suit, it would be the first time since 2002 that German naval vessels have passed through the strait.

According to Reuters, Rear Admiral Axel Schulz, commander of the German Navy Task Force, said in an August interview that such actions reflect Germany’s commitment to a rules-based order and the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.