Why China is not saying yes – or no – to the German navy’s port call request

A German warship is heading to the Asia-Pacific following US calls to its allies to take more interest in the region

China’s response to the vessel’s application to stop in Shanghai could show the direction of bilateral relations, observers say

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The German frigate Bayern is heading to Asia-Pacific waters. Photo: Twitter

Published: 6:00am, 7 Aug 2021Updated: 11:18pm, 7 Aug 2021

For the first time in nearly two decades, a German warship is heading to the South China Sea.

The frigate Bayern left its port in northwestern Germany on Monday on a voyage that is expected to last about six months.

According to Germany, the deployment will help enforce the United Nations’ sanctions regime against North Korea, and involve several navy exercises and port visits.

The trip follows a US call for its allies to take a greater interest in the Asia-Pacific and includes a transit through the South China Sea, a waterway over which China has vast and contested claims.

In an apparent effort to chart a course between China and the US, Germany requested a port call in Shanghai. It also invited Chinese forces to take part in “Kiel Week”, a series of sailing events in September.

But while Beijing has not ruled out either possibility, it has demanded that Berlin clarify the reason for the port call, signalling that it is not interested in ambiguity from Germany, according to diplomatic observers.

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