Germany has sent a warship to the South China Sea for the first time in almost two decades, joining other Western countries expanding their military presence in the region.
Reuters writes about this, saying that China claims vast waters of the South China Sea and has created military outposts on artificial islands in waters rich in fish and natural gas reserves, the British news agency notes.
Officials in Berlin said the German navy would stick to "common trade routes." It is expected that the frigate of the German Navy will not pass through the Taiwan Strait. Such regular actions of the United States cause condemnation from Beijing.
Nevertheless, Berlin made it clear that the mission is intended to emphasize the fact that Germany " does not agree with China's territorial claims."
German Defense Ministry Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer visited the port of Wilhelmshaven to escort the frigate "Bavaria" on a seven-month voyage, during which she will visit Australia, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.
