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Recently, the situation in the Taiwan Strait has become tense again, and this time Germany has also joined the game. On September 13, 2024, the German Navy frigate Baden-Württemberg and the supply ship Frankfurt ended their visit to Korea and turned around and headed for the Taiwan Strait, a sensitive water.
As soon as the news came out, public opinion was in an uproar. After all, Germany is not a country bordering the South China Sea, spanning half the world to "freedom of navigation" in the Taiwan Strait? What kind of medicine is sold in this gourd?
China's response was swift and resolute. The naval and air forces of the Eastern Theater of Operations have always maintained a high level of alert and are ready to respond to various situations at any time.
The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have issued statements one after another, with harsh wording, directly to the core of the issue: The Taiwan issue is China's core interest, a matter of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and no external forces are allowed to interfere!
What about the Germany side? It is also "single". Germany's defense minister said that the German government and military consider navigation in international waters to be essential and that they are determined to uphold that right.
The implication is that Germany's actions are "reasonable and legal" and do not take China's warnings seriously.
Naturally, the Taiwan authorities were "overjoyed" and hurriedly dispatched warships to "escort" the ship, with a "fox and a fake tiger" face, in a vain attempt to "rationalize" Germany's behavior.
A game in the Taiwan Strait has thus begun. The responses of the parties are intriguing** If you think about the course of action of the German warships, it is really strange.
After concluding his visit to Korea, he chose to cross the Taiwan Strait into the South China Sea instead of returning directly, which is obviously not a "temporary idea."
German warships have been closely watched as they pass through the Taiwan Strait, and they have slowed down. This is not a "harmless passage", but more like a deliberate "display of existence" to "show muscles" to China.
Looking at Germany's official response, "international waters" and "freedom of navigation" are clearly playing with words and trying to "legitimize" their actions.
What is even more interesting is that Germany's action coincides with United States' military activities in the South China Sea.
All indications indicate that Germany's move is likely to take the opportunity to join the joint military exercises in the South China Sea led by United States and brush up a wave of "presence" for itself in the Asia-Pacific region.
China, of course, will not sit idly by. The Eastern Theater dispatched naval and air forces to keep a close eye on the relevant areas throughout the entire process, demonstrating China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity with concrete actions.
The diplomatic channels were even more straightforward, putting China's solemn position on the table.
However, the Taiwan authorities regard Germany's provocation as "support" and even do not hesitate to send warships to "touch porcelain" in a vain attempt to "kidnap" themselves onto Germany's chariots.
This trick of "forgetting one's ancestors" is nothing more than self-deception.
Some of Germany's recent moves in the Taiwan Strait have puzzled many people, after all, China is an important trading partner of Germany. What are they doing here? Aren't you afraid of offending China?
The answer, perhaps, is not complicated. In fact, Germany did this for another purpose. In recent years, Germany has "played very well" in the Asia-Pacific region and wants to take the opportunity to "show its face" more and expand its influence.
The Taiwan Strait issue is like a key switch, and at the slightest touch, the situation in the entire region will be moved.
Germany's move has led to speculation that they may want to touch China's bottom line and explore their layout in the Asia-Pacific region.
Germany move is also a "bet" United States. United States sees China as its number one competitor, and Germany sees it. Now, United States is rallying partners everywhere to put pressure on China.
Germany chose to "side" United States at this time, apparently to occupy an advantageous position in the future geopolitical game.
Of course, Germany is not entirely without concerns. China and Germany have close economic and trade ties, and Germany companies have also benefited greatly from the Chinese market.
However, Germany seems to overestimate the influence of economic and trade relations on China's decision-making and underestimate China's determination to safeguard its core national interests.
On the issue of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has never had much "room for manoeuvre." Germany's attempt to use the "economic and trade card" to blackmail China is doomed to be miscalculated.
Germany has made a move this time, and the situation in the Taiwan Strait has become lively again. What are the implications?
The passage of Germany warships through the Taiwan Strait seems to be an "isolated incident", but in fact it will have a far-reaching impact on Sino-German relations, the situation in the Taiwan Strait, and even the regional security pattern.
Germany's move may have laid hidden dangers in Sino-German relations. For a long time, China and Germany have maintained close cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and political mutual trust has been steadily improving.
However, Germany's erroneous move on the Taiwan issue this time is undoubtedly a serious damage to Sino-German relations. Political relations are like glass, which can easily be broken and need to be carefully maintained by both sides.
Germany's choice to "step on the red line" at this sensitive moment will undoubtedly make China re-examine its relationship with Germany. In the future, the direction of Sino-German relations still needs to be convincing from Germany sides.
Germany's move will only make the situation in the Taiwan Strait more tense. United States has recently made frequent moves on the Taiwan issue and has always tried every means to stimulate cross-strait relations, resulting in increasingly tense regional situations.
As a major European country, instead of playing the role of "persuading and promoting peace talks," Germany has chosen to "follow United States." The erroneous signals it has released will only make the "Taiwan independence" forces more arrogant and add more uncertainty to the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
"Using Taiwan to contain China" is doomed to a dead end. If Germany insists on going its own way, it may end up reaping the consequences. Germany's approach seems to tell other countries that such behavior is acceptable.
In recent years, under the banner of "freedom of navigation", some countries have frequently "flexed their muscles" in the Asia-Pacific region in an attempt to challenge the regional order.
As an important Western country, Germany chose to "take sides" at this time, which will undoubtedly exacerbate regional tensions and even trigger a "chain reaction".
Countries in the Asia-Pacific region want to maintain peace and stability so that everyone can develop together. Germany should contribute to the maintenance of regional peace and stability, which is the responsible approach, not the other way around.
If Germany provokes China, China will not sit idly by. When friends come, let's have a good drink; When ill-intentioned people come, we have to find a way to deal with it.
The Eastern Theater of Operations is on standby and will resolutely respond to any provocations. The Chinese army will firmly defend its territory, and anyone who wants to split the country will not succeed.
Of course, China's means and ways of safeguarding its national interests have never been limited to the "military" level. Diplomatic representations are only the first step.
China can use its influence to expose Germany's "hypocrisy" in the international community and make it pay the "reputational price" for its wrongdoings.
Economic sanctions are also an option. China and Germany have close economic and trade relations, and China can take advantage of its own market advantages to adopt a strategy of "differential treatment" against Germany companies and make them "pay" for the wrong decisions of the Germany government.
China should continue to follow the path of peaceful development, so that the country will become stronger and more influential in the international community.
"Iron also needs its own hardness." Only when it is strong enough can it "not be angry and self-intimidating" and "discourage" any country or force that tries to challenge China's core interests.
The incident of a Germany warship crossing the Taiwan Strait has once again sounded the alarm for us: Safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity has never been an empty word, but requires us to make sustained efforts.
It is everyone's responsibility to safeguard national interests.
We must have a clear understanding of the complexity of the current international situation, maintain a high degree of vigilance, and not be confused by "sugar-coated shells" or "external forces."
We must strengthen our determination to safeguard our national interests, dare to show our swords, dare to struggle, and make all attempts to harm China's interests pay the price they deserve.
We must believe in the country and the party, unite as one, work together, and contribute to the realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!
The incident of a German warship crossing the Taiwan Strait is only a microcosm. In the future, China will encounter more challenges and tests on the international stage.
How do you think China should respond to these challenges? Feel free to leave a message in the comment section and share your views.