On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephol criticized what he termed China’s “hostile behavior” in the Taiwan Strait ahead of his visits to Japan and Indonesia, emphasizing the need to strengthen binding international regulations.
In remarks to reporters before his departure, Wadephol praised Japan’s solidarity with Europe regarding Ukraine and highlighted the significance and economic potential of the two Asian nations.
The German Foreign Ministry also issued a separate statement from Wadephol expressing concern over China’s actions.
He stated, “China’s increasingly hostile conduct in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas impacts us in Europe as well: the fundamental principles of our global coexistence are at stake here.”
Tensions have been escalating between China and other powers in the Asia-Pacific region due to territorial sovereignty disputes.
The Chinese military reported that it monitored a U.S. destroyer that sailed near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea and then “drove it away.”
In contrast, the U.S. Navy stated that its operations are consistent with international law.