On Friday, two ships from the German navy traversed the sensitive Taiwan Strait, marking the first such passage in twenty years.

This move underscores Berlin’s commitment to align with its Western allies amid escalating tensions between Taipei and Beijing. China, which asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory, claims exclusive sovereignty over the strait.

In contrast, both the United States and Taiwan maintain that the strait is an international waterway, crucial for global trade, with approximately half of the world’s container ships navigating through it.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed the transit of the frigate “Baden-Württemberg” and the supply vessel “Frankfurt am Main,” stating, “International waters are international waters. It’s the shortest and safest route given the weather conditions, so we are passing through.”

According to Taiwan’s Defence Ministry, the German ships have been moving southward through the strait since Friday morning, with local forces monitoring the situation, which they described as “normal.”

A security source indicated that the vessels are expected to exit the strait by Saturday. Another source, who requested anonymity, characterized the passage as a clear declaration from Berlin of its support for international regulations alongside its allies.

Prior to the confirmation of the transit, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry expressed condemnation of any actions perceived as infringing on China’s sovereignty. “We firmly oppose provocations that threaten China’s sovereignty and security under the guise of ‘freedom of navigation’,” stated Mao Ning during a press briefing.

A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry clarified that Germany is not required to inform other nations of such movements, emphasizing that international maritime law permits free navigation in international waters without prior notification.