BEIJING, Sept 14 (Askume) – The Chinese military on Saturday condemned the passage of two German naval ships through the Taiwan Strait, saying it raised security risks and sent the “wrong” signal. It added that the Chinese military monitored the relevant ships and issued warnings.
China claims democratic rule over Taiwan and says only China exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Both the United States and Taiwan call the strait an international waterway, a major trade route through which about half of the world’s container ships pass.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command said the passing of the two ships – a frigate and a supply ship – was “public propaganda” and that its navy and air force had always been monitoring and warning them.
Germany’s actions increased security risks and sent the wrong signals. The troops stationed in Germany are always on high alert and will respond strongly to all threats and provocations.
The Chinese Embassy in Germany said in a separate statement it had lodged a “complaint” in Berlin that Taiwan is part of China, a statement strongly opposed by Taipei’s democratically elected government.
“The Taiwan issue is not a ‘freedom of navigation’ issue, but an issue of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.
The embassy said the Taiwan Strait is China’s territorial waters and “there are no so-called ‘international waters’ there.”
China urged Germany to refrain from any “interference” that undermines the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
Taiwan’s government says only the island’s people can determine their own future.
US warships transit the strait every two months, much to the anger of Beijing, and some US allies such as Canada and Britain also make occasional transits.
China has never renounced the use of force to control Taiwan and has increased military activities around Taiwan, including war drills, over the past five years.
Taiwan’s coast guard said on Saturday it had again sent ships to monitor and warn off four Chinese coast guard vessels sailing in restricted waters near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen Islands, which are located right off China’s coast.
The statement said Chinese ships continue to provoke and undermine peace in the Taiwan Strait. The Coast Guard is committed to safeguarding Taiwan’s sovereignty and upholds the principles of non-provocation, non-conflict and non-disclosure of weakness.
Calls to China’s Defence Ministry seeking comment went unanswered.
