A German frigate has set sail for the Indo-Pacific region.
The German government aims to show its presence in the region by strengthening cooperation with countries that share values, such as Japan, amid growing concerns about China's expansion into the ocean.
The frigate "Bayern" departed for the Indo-Pacific region on the 2nd from the naval base in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany.
"Bavarian" will continue its voyage until February next year, conducting joint training with Japan and Australia, and "Setori" where North Korea will transfer cargo from ship to ship in violation of the UN Security Council sanctions resolution. We are also planning to participate in activities such as monitoring.
Prior to the departure, Defense Minister Crump Karenbauer said, "It is an area of interest to Germany, and order based on rules is important. We would like to work with our partners to guarantee freedom of navigation locally." He emphasized the idea of strengthening cooperation.
Last year, the German government compiled guidelines on diplomacy and security in the Indo-Pacific region, positioned the region as becoming more important, and diversified Asian diplomacy centered on China. We have set out a policy to strengthen relations with Japan and Australia.
The German government, including Japan, by dispatching frigate based on new guidelines amid growing concerns about China's advance into the ocean, human rights issues, and its excessive dependence on China economically. The aim is to strengthen cooperation with countries that share the same values and to show their presence in the region.
Germany's Asian policy shift in the background
Behind Germany's dispatch of frigate to the Indo-Pacific is a shift in Asian policy that was heavily focused on China.
Last September, the German government compiled diplomatic, economic and security guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region.
In this, we position the region as becoming more politically and economically important, and advocate "rule-based order" and "multilateralism" with the aim of strengthening relations with Japan and Australia.
Since the inauguration of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany has been developing Asian diplomacy centered on China, including visiting China 12 times.
However, amid growing concerns about China's expansion into the ocean, human rights issues in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Hong Kong, and excessive dependence on China economically, its diplomatic stance will be changed and diversified. It is a policy.
It is unusual for Germany, which has no overseas territory and has shown a cautious stance on the military side, to dispatch ships to this area, and cooperates with partners who share values with China in mind, which is strengthening the movement to advance into the ocean. There is an aim to strengthen it.
On the other hand, there are no plans to sail within 12 nautical miles of the islands of the South China Sea, which China claims sovereignty over, which sets it apart from the United States, which has a strong stance toward China.
China is Germany's largest trading partner, and it wants to avoid a decisive conflict over global issues such as climate change and infectious disease control, as China's cooperation is essential. Calls are also being coordinated.
However, Defense Minister Crump Karenbauer said on the 2nd that the Chinese side has not yet answered about the port call to Shanghai.
Experts analyze that the dispatch of frigate is not a sign of confrontation with China, but a symbol of its presence in the region, and a great deal of solidarity with its regional partners.
China's restraining reaction Germany's attitude
So far, China has not shown any clear opposition to Germany's dispatch of frigate to the Indo-Pacific region.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said at a press conference on July 30, "When ships of related countries sail in the South China Sea, we will comply with international law, respect the sovereignty and interests of coastal countries, and promote regional peace. It shouldn't compromise stability. "
On the other hand, China has clearly opposed Britain, which also dispatched ships to the Indo-Pacific region.
The United Kingdom has dispatched a carrier strike group centered on the state-of-the-art aircraft carrier "Queen Elizabeth", and American ships are also included in this carrier strike group.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense strongly opposes the strike group's navigation in the South China Sea, saying, "Some countries are categorically opposed to sending warships from far away for provocative purposes to increase their presence." It repelled.
Thus, China has shown a more restraining reaction to Germany than to Britain and the United States.
China seems to be trying to carefully determine whether Germany will take a tough stance like the United States and Britain, or whether it will make a clear distinction to avoid decisive conflicts.