One day after the German frigate “Bayern” set sail for East Asia, the voyage of the German warship was praised by Taiwan, but was rated tentatively by Beijing.

The Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told the editorial network Germany that he was "glad that the German government with its Indo-Pacific guidelines has created the basis for participating in securing free sea routes in the South China Sea".

Johannes Leithäuser

Political correspondent in Berlin.

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Wu went on to say that no one could "want China to extend its authoritarian rule over the entire South China Sea."

Democracies around the globe, including Germany, are now setting clear signals against the Chinese drive for power.

Wu listed that ships from Great Britain, France and the Netherlands, but also from the United States, Japan and Australia were currently participating in similar naval missions.

However, the travel route of the "Bavarians" is such that joint maneuvers with the ships of other western nations cannot take place;

In addition, the German government has apparently also requested a friendship visit to a Chinese port.

Taipei speaks of a Chinese threat

The Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning News reported that Beijing would only answer inquiries about a visit to the port of Shanghai if it was clear whether the route of the "Bayern" also led through the South China Sea or not.

Apparently it is planned so far that the "Bayern" should cross this sea area on her return voyage.

The Taiwanese foreign minister said that the question of which sea areas China is claiming for itself is not just about Taiwan, but more generally about defending freedom.

In the Uyghur province of Xinjiang, China is committing crimes against humanity; in Hong Kong it is eliminating the smallest remnants of freedom;

this is "a tragedy in the 21st century".

The Foreign Minister also spoke about the threat posed by China to Taiwan. He said the situation could become critical for his country if China got into internal trouble: "The regime could, if it comes under pressure, decide to attack." Enemy. We in Taiwan fear that one day we will be made a scapegoat for China's internal problems ”. The frigate “Bayern” will return to its home port in Wilhelmshaven at the end of February.