German warships ignored China’s complaints and sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in over 2 decades

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning criticized Pistorius’ comment on freely navigating the strait.

“The Taiwan question is not about freedom of navigation but about China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We respect countries’ right to navigation in relevant waters in accordance with China’s laws and international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Mao said Friday.

“But we firmly oppose any act of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation that harms China’s sovereignty and security,” she added, repeating a point she made prior to the transit.

Earlier this week, the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated the waters of the strait are Chinese. “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,” Mao said, adding that countries should navigate the area in accordance with Chinese and international laws.

The US Navy often sails vessels through the Taiwan Strait, and other nations have also used the waterway for their warships, much to Beijing’s irritation.

Last month, the Canadian HMCS Montréal “conducted a routine transit” through the waters in a move supporting a “free, open, and inclusive” Indo-Pacific region. In 2021, the UK held a similar sentiment when it sailed the HMS Richmond frigate through the waters on a trip from Japan to Vietnam.

And in a first for France, the French Vendémiaire frigate passed through the Taiwan Strait in 2019, drawing China’s ire.

Cross-strait relations are notably tense at the moment after the election of Lai Ching-te and increased Chinese military exercises and incursions into Taiwan’s waters and airspace.

China hasn’t ruled out using force to take control of Taiwan, and its ongoing aggressive behavior continues to raise concerns, particularly among the US and its allies about a potential invasion or blockade.