Source: Global Times
Reuters reported on the 15th that the German warship entered the South China Sea for the first time in 19 years, and "the largest economy in Europe has also joined the ranks of other Western countries to expand military activities in the Asia-Pacific region." A Spokesman for the German Defense Ministry said German warships would "follow general trade routes" through the South China Sea.
Screenshot of the Reuters report
The German frigate Bavaria left Wilhelmshaven for the Indo-Pacific in early August, completing its first visit to Japan in 20 years in November. Reuters said on the 15th that the "Bavaria" will be the first German warship to cross the South China Sea since 2002. A Spokesman for the German Defense Ministry said the German warship was passing through the South China Sea on its way to Singapore and that the entire voyage was expected to take several days. The ship will not cross the Taiwan Strait.
The Bavaria's trip to the Indo-Pacific region is considered a move to expand Germany's military influence. The vessel also applied to dock at the port of Shanghai, China. In September, a spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said, "After a period of consideration, China has decided not to allow the frigate Bavaria to dock in Shanghai." "There are reports that the Chinese side believes that the various messages sent by Germany are too confusing to distinguish. According to the latest navigation map of the "Bavaria" released by the German Ministry of National Defense on the 14th, it will also visit India and other countries.
![Foreign media said that German warships entered the South China Sea for the first time in nearly 20 years: they were once denied calls at Chinese ports[fig]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs=)