German warships have not passed through the Taiwan Strait in over two decades, but reports are circulating that Berlin plans to defy Bejing by permitting warships to pass through the Strait later this month. Germany is showing solidarity with NATO nations like Canada and the United States who have recently provoked tensions by making their maritime presence in the sensitive area known.
German Rear Admiral Axel Schulz told reporters that such a move would show Germany’s adherence to the world order and plans to “peacefully” resolve disagreements. Yet, China believes it can “peacefully” reunite with Taiwan if there is no interference. China is not concerned with Russia or other conflicts as it attempts to remain as neutral as possible despite being criticized for assisting Moscow. No, the primary issue China has with the West is its insistence on ending the One China policy with Taiwan.
While Germany will not make an official announcement before embarking on the Strait, they are giving China enough time to respond. The stated primary purpose of this military exercise is to remind China that no one has control over the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait. “We are reinforcing the freedom of navigation and stability in a strategically important region for us,” Bundestag member Michael Roth posted on X. “We stand for peace and security in the Taiwan Strait and oppose any unilateral and violent changes to the status quo by China. It is a misconception to think that leniency will lead China to reconsider,” he added while saying the move was not meant to provoke China.
Yet, Roth also said that he is concerned that “China is tightening its grip and changing the status quo daily.” Passing through the Strait will somehow de-escalate tensions and reduce the prospect of war. “A military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have catastrophic consequences for Germany and the global economy, potentially even worse than the COVID-19 pandemic,” Roth added. True, a large portion of world trade travels through this passage but there could be no war between Taiwan and China unless Taiwan were backed by powerful allies.
China said it opposes any military actions that “provoke and endanger China’s sovereignty and security under the pretext of ‘freedom of navigation.’” President Xi remains firm on his goal to unify Taiwan with China and will go to any lengths to prevent interference. Furthermore, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Taiwan Strait itself belongs to China, despite a UN resolution stating otherwise. “The waters of the Taiwan Strait, from both shores toward the middle of the Strait, are China’s internal waters, then territorial sea, then contiguous zone, and then exclusive economic zone,” she added.
Germany and China are major trade partner and this move will likely result in damaged diplomatic relations if not outright sanctions from China. Berlin has not seen the need to enter those waters since 2002. This is all part of the bigger plan of NATO to instigate the next world war by showing China that its enemies are growing bolder, and its claim to Taiwan is in jeopardy.
