China condemns German navy's transit of Taiwan Strait
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[September 14, 2024]
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's military on Saturday condemned the transit
of two German navy ships through the Taiwan Strait saying it increased
security risks and sent the "wrong" signal, adding that Chinese forces
monitored and warned the vessels.
China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own, says it
alone exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait. Both the
United States and Taiwan say the strait - a major trade route through
which about half of global container ships pass - is an international
waterway.
The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said the passage
of the two ships - a frigate and a supply vessel - was "public hyping",
and that its navy and air forces monitored and warned them throughout.
"The German side's behavior increases security risks and sends the wrong
signal. Troops in the theatre are on high alert at all times and will
resolutely counter all threats and provocations," it said in a
statement.
China's embassy in Germany said in a separate statement it had lodged
"representations" with Berlin, saying Taiwan belonged to China, a
position the democratically elected government in Taipei strongly
rejects.
"The question of Taiwan is not a matter of 'freedom of navigation', but
of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.
The Taiwan Strait is Chinese waters "and there are no so-called
'international waters' at all", the embassy added.
China urges Germany to avoid any "interference" that would jeopardize
the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, it added.
Taiwan's government says only the island's people can decide their
future.
U.S. warships sail through the strait around once every two months,
drawing the ire of Beijing, and some U.S. allies like Canada and Britain
have also made occasional transits.
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People stand near a building overlooking the Taiwan Strait, at the
68-nautical-mile scenic spot, one of mainland China's closest points
to the island of Taiwan, in Pingtan island, Fujian province, China
August 5, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan
under its control, has over the past five years stepped up military
activities around the island, including staging war games.
However, Taiwan's defense ministry said last month it believes China
lacks the ability to "fully" invade Taiwan as it does not have the
equipment, a remark which on Saturday drew a rebuke from China's
defense ministry.
"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities' claims are absurd and
ridiculous," spokesperson Wu Qian said in Beijing, referring to
Taiwan's ruling party. "The complete reunification of the motherland
is a historical inevitability."
Also on Saturday, Taiwan's coast guard said it had again sent ships
to monitor and warn away four Chinese maritime police vessels
sailing in restricted waters near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen
islands, which sit right next to China's coast.
The Chinese ships have continued to provoke and damage peace in the
strait, and the coast guard is determined to defend Taiwan's
sovereignty upholding the principles of no provocation, no conflict
and no show of weakness, it said.
Calls to China's defense ministry seeking comment went unanswered.
(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing and additional reporting by
Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and
Michael Perry and Miral Fahmy)
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