Sat Sep 14 00:56:00 UTC 2024: ## German Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait, Defying China’s Warnings
**Berlin, Germany** – In a move likely to further strain relations with China, Germany sent its first warship through the Taiwan Strait in 22 years. The Baden-Württemberg frigate, accompanied by a support vessel, sailed through the strategic waterway on Friday, according to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between Germany and China over issues including trade and Russia’s war in Ukraine. China has previously warned against foreign military vessels transiting the strait, which it views as a sensitive area within its sphere of influence.
“International waters are international waters,” Pistorius stated at a press conference, justifying the passage as the shortest and safest route for the German vessels.
The passage of the German warship marks a significant development in the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape of the region. It signals Germany’s commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in international waters, a principle that stands in contrast to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
First Piper 