Pistorius said the Taiwan Strait was the shortest and safest route in terms of weather conditions.
According to the head of the German Ministry of Defence, these are “international waters” and German ships will therefore be able to pass through the strait.
“This is what we have always stood for and I have always stood for: international waters are international waters,” Pistorius said.
German media write that the German Navy frigate Baden-Württemberg and the combat support ship Frankfurt am Main are currently heading to the Taiwan Strait. They are travelling from South Korea to the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
Meanwhile, China has warned Germany against ships passing through the Taiwan Strait. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Taiwan issue is not a question of freedom of navigation. “This is an issue affecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she stressed.
Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949. According to Beijing’s official position, supported by most countries including the Russian Federation, this is one of the regions of the People’s Republic of China.
Previously, China’s Foreign Ministry said Taiwan is an integral part of China and will never become a “separate state.”
