BEIJING: China on Saturday accused Berlin of heightening security risks in the Taiwan Strait, a day after two German vessels sailed through the sensitive waters.
“The German side’s behavior increases security risks and sends incorrect signals,” Chinese military spokesperson Li Xi said in a statement.
Beijing’s troops in the area would “resolutely counter all threats and provocations,” Li added.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed on Friday that the frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg and the supply Frankfurt am Main sailed through the strait.
US military ships as well as those operated by other countries have often sailed through the sensitive waterway.
But the Baden-Wuerttemberg’s voyage was the first time in more than two decades that Berlin’s navy had done so, according to German media reports.
Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the island from the Chinese mainland.
Germany and many other countries argue such voyages are usual, citing freedom of navigation.
China’s Li said Saturday that the People’s Liberation Army had sent sea and air forces to “monitor and warn off” the German vessels.
China says German naval ships in Taiwan Strait ‘increase security risks’
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China says German naval ships in Taiwan Strait ‘increase security risks’
- US military ships as well as those operated by other countries have often sailed through the sensitive waterway
- Germany and many other countries argue such voyages are usual, citing freedom of navigation
Hungary PM to attend Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ inaugural meeting
- Orban attended the launch of the initiative last month in the Swiss ski resort of Davos
- “Two weeks from now we will meet again in Washington,” he said
BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Saturday that he will be going to Washington “in two weeks” to attend the first meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.”
Although originally intended to oversee Gaza’s rebuilding, the board’s charter does not seem to limit its role to the Palestinian territory and appears to want to rival the United Nations.
One of the US leader’s closest allies in the European Union, the nationalist Orban attended the launch of the initiative last month in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.
“Two weeks from now we will meet again in Washington, because the Board of Peace, the peace body, will have an inaugural meeting,” he told a campaign event in the western town of Szombathely.
Permanent members must pay $1 billion to join, leading to criticism that the board could become a “pay to play” version of the UN Security Council.
Orban — currently the longest-serving national leader in the EU — faces an unprecedented challenge at a general election slated for April 12.
Independent polls show the opposition led by Peter Magyar, an ex-government-insider-turned-critic, is ahead with a stagnating economy and growing discontent with public services, among key issues.
