German task group commander, who led the German Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait in October, said that the Chinese vessels were very attentive and sent repeated radio messages to the German Navy ships, but they did not engage in any unsafe behavior.

Rear Admiral Axel Schulz said that the frigate FGS Baden-Wurttemberg, and the logistics ship FGS Frankfurt am Main, were "shadowed" by Chinese surface ships, who sent radio signals that the South China Sea was theirs by right. The German ships replied that they were exercising freedom of movement in international waters.

Schulz, standing in the Baden-Wurttemberg helicopter's deck, said: "They acted professionally and safely, but they let us know we were not welcome." "But we've never really been in a dangerous situation."

The first German military ship to pass through the strait since 20 years was on Sept. 13. At the time, the Eastern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army said that the ships were warned and watched and that this passage "increases safety risks and sends a wrong signal".

Since then, Japanese, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels have transited this sensitive waterway and U.S. aircraft has flown over it to underline their position that these waters are international waters.

Schulz explained that the two German ships were in the area as part of a second Indo-Pacific deployment. This was a mission for conducting exercises with partners and allies, and ensuring freedom of seas. After their passage through the strait, they travelled to Singapore and arrived there on Wednesday.

The two German ships participated in a bilateral training exercise on Tuesday with the Singaporean navy, to "enhance their interoperability".

Bettina Fangahel, Germany's Ambassador to Singapore, said that their presence in the Indo-Pacific region was important as it demonstrated Berlin's commitment towards its partners in this region and the importance of being a member responsible of the rules-based order.

Fanghanel stated that "Germany isn't an Indo-Pacific Power." "We have vital Indo-Pacific interests." ... "It's important that I stress that this is an ongoing engagement, and that we will be here for the long haul."

German Navy Frigate Capt. Alexander Gottschalk said that the ships would next be heading to India and the Baden Wurttemberg would eventually be stationed off the coasts of Lebanon.

Gottschalk explained that the frigate was built to accommodate personnel for special missions. It has 80 extra berths in addition to what is required for its crew of 126. This gives the frigate flexibility, for instance to assist with an emergency evacuation.

Foreign vessels have been active in the strait against a backdrop of Chinese naval exercises around Taiwan. Beijing claims the waters as its own, despite the protests of the Taipei government.

China tested an ICBM at the end of September. The dummy warhead landed in the Pacific Ocean – the first time since the 1980s that this had happened.

According to Taiwan's military, a confidential estimate from 2023 showed that China would spend $15 billion (or about 7% of the defence budget) on military activities around the island. (Reporting Gerry Doyle. (Editing by Shri Navaratnam.)

(source: Reuters)