China: Germany’s movements in the Taiwan Strait increase security risks – Mehr News Agency | RCO News Agency

According to the Mehr News Agency, quoted by the Associated Press, one day after two German ships passed through the Taiwan Strait, China accused Berlin of intensifying security risks in the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese military spokesman Li Shi issued a statement saying, “The behavior of the German side increases security risks and sends wrong messages.

Li went on to emphasize that the Chinese military in this region “will resolutely deal with all threats and provocations.”

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed on Friday that the frigates Baden-Württemberg and Frankfurt am Main had passed through the strait.

Last week, Mao Ning, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, once again emphasized that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory and soil.

In this regard, he said: The waters of the Taiwan Strait from both coasts towards the sea are divided into several areas, including internal waters, territorial sea, neighboring area and exclusive economic zone.

Earlier, Reuters reported that Taiwanese authorities are looking to increase military spending in the region. Taiwanese officials have recently proposed to increase their defense spending to $20.2 billion next year, a record.

This figure represents an increase of 7.7 percent over Taiwan’s defense spending in 2023 and is equivalent to 2.45 percent of Taiwan’s GDP.

“Lai Ching-te”, the president of the Taiwan region, previously proposed an increase in defense spending.

Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen also increased Taiwan’s defense spending seven times during his tenure between 2016 and 2024, which almost doubled the island’s defense budget.

Citing the alleged threat of invasion from China, the US is said to be forcing Taiwan to increase its military spending.