German naval vessel "first time in about 20 years" call for defense cooperation with China in mind

A frigate of the German Navy dispatched to the Indo-Pacific region called at Tokyo on the 5th.

With China in mind, which is strengthening its marine advancement, the aim is to promote a cooperative relationship with Japan in terms of security.

The German Navy's frigate "Bayern" departed Germany in August and conducted joint training with the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Pacific Ocean and other areas, and called at the "Tokyo International Cruise Terminal" in Koto-ku, Tokyo on the afternoon of the 5th.

According to the German Navy, "Bavarian" will stay in Tokyo until the 12th of this month, after which it plans to participate in joint training involving 20 ships from five countries, including Japan and the United States.

"The Indo-Pacific region is now one of the most strategically important regions, which can help keep maritime transport routes free and open," said Bundeswehr General Manager Zorn. He emphasized the significance of strengthening cooperation with Japan.

Last year, Germany compiled guidelines on diplomacy and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and announced a policy to strengthen relations with Japan and other countries amid growing concerns about China's move to advance into the ocean.

It is the first time in about 20 years that a German Navy vessel has called at Japan, and it aims to promote cooperation with Japan in terms of security and to show its presence in this region.

Joint training with the Self-Defense Forces and escort vessels

Prior to calling at Tokyo, "Bavarian" conducted joint training with the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ship "Samidare" on the sea south of the Kanto region from the 4th to the 5th.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force says, "We have strengthened cooperation toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

This is the third training between "Bavarian" and the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort vessels, following the one conducted in August in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, Africa, and in September the following September in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Defense Minister Kishi "Welcome to further defense cooperation"

Minister of Defense Kishi visited the terminal and inspected with the Inspector General of the Federal Army, the top of the German uniform group.

After this, Minister Kishi told reporters, "This call is a broad indication to the international community of Germany's strong determination to actively contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, and we greatly welcome it." ..

"Germany is a partner who shares basic values. The defense cooperation between the two countries is the cornerstone of maintaining and strengthening the free and open Indo-Pacific, and we would like to use the port of call as a foothold to make efforts for further development." He expressed his intention to further promote the defense cooperation between the two countries.

Germany to shift from China-focused Asian policy

Since the inauguration of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany has been developing Asian diplomacy centered on China, including visiting China 12 times.

However, there were growing concerns at home and abroad about China's move into the ocean, the human rights situation in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Hong Kong, and its excessive dependence on China economically.

For this reason, the German government plans to shift from the Asian policy, which was predominantly focused on China, and diversify its diplomatic stance.

Last September, he compiled diplomatic, economic and security guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region and positioned the region as becoming more politically and economically important, with "rule-based order" and "multilateralism." We are aiming to strengthen relations with Japan and Australia under the principle of "principle".

This dispatch of "Bavarian" is part of that.

It is unusual for Germany, which has no foreign territory and has shown a cautious military stance, to dispatch ships to this area.

After calling at Tokyo, Bayern is scheduled to pass through South Korea and then in December through the South China Sea, where China is promoting its military base.

On the other hand, China is Germany's largest trading partner and wants to avoid a decisive conflict, so "Bavarian" will not pass through the Taiwan Strait and initially consulted with the Chinese side to call at Shanghai. It was different from the United States, which shows a strong stance toward China.

However, regarding the plan to call at Shanghai, a spokesman for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in September that "the Chinese side decided that they did not want to call at the port and we agreed", and it was clear that the Chinese side refused to call at the port. I made it.

It is possible that the Chinese side has opposed plans for "Bayern" to pass through the South China Sea.

China Controls port calls to Japan

Regarding the German frigate's call to Japan, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said at a press conference on the 5th, "We are watching the relevant reports. Cooperation including the defense field of the countries concerned is between the countries of the region. It should contribute to the promotion of mutual trust, the peace and stability of the region, and the promotion of development, and not the other way around. "

"Symbolic port of call" expert "more aggressively than cooperation from the center-left government"

Regarding the port call of "Bavarian" to Japan, Professor Yoko Iwama of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies said, "Defense cooperation between Japan and Germany was a few steps behind that between Japan and the United Kingdom, and between Japan and France. I've been chasing little by little these days, and it's symbolic that "Bavarian" will come to Tokyo at this time. "

In addition, Professor Iwama said, "Merkel's diplomacy emphasized relations with China and Russia. I think that it will not be during the Merkel administration that it will be on the side that it is okay to completely confront China. He said that the German side had initially consulted with "Bavarian" for a port call to China, and said that there was an intention of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had emphasized economic ties with China.

On that basis, he analyzes Germany's position, saying, "I hate conflicts while advocating cooperation with partners who share values, such as Japan, but rather want to exist to promote dialogue."

In addition, Professor Iwama said that in December, the center-left Social Democratic Party, Mr. Schortz, will replace Chancellor Angela Merkel as the new prime minister, and the next administration will be inaugurated. It will be more proactive than ever when it comes to cooperation between countries with democratic values. "