German warship sails through Taiwan Strait amid warning from China

ANKARA

Two German navy ships on Friday passed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in two decades despite warning from China, officials said.

Taiwan Defense Ministry said that a German naval frigate and a supply ship each sailed through the Taiwan Strait from north to south.

During this period, the ministry said on X that the Taiwanese armed forces "maintained full control over our surrounding sea and airspace, and the situation remained normal."

Ahead of its planned transit on Friday, Germany described the waterway, which divides Taiwan from mainland China, as international waters and safest route for navigation depending on weather conditions.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, however, firmly opposed "provocations and actions" that threaten China's sovereignty and security.

"China respects the rights of all countries to navigate in relevant waters in accordance with Chinese domestic laws and international laws. However, China firmly opposes provocations and actions that threaten China's sovereignty and security under the guise of 'freedom of navigation'," Mao said Friday.

Earlier on Monday, responding to a question about two German vessels slated to transit the Taiwan Strait, Mao said Taiwan is an “inalienable” part of China’s territory.

China claims Taiwan as its breakaway province, whereas the latter insist on its independence.

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said it detected 22 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft , six Chinese navy vessels and one official ships operating around Taiwan on Friday.

"18 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's central and southwestern ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone). We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," it said in statement.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid