Shortly before yesterday's expiry of the Bavaria the Bundeswehr announced the frigate's planned itinerary. Shanghai is one of the harbours to be visited over the next seven months. However, this is not yet certain, as a visit to China has so far only been enquired about and a response is still pending. And according to the independent Hong Kong daily newspaper South China Morning Post, this will remain the case until Berlin provides more details on the purpose of the visit.
In the run-up to the trip, Inspector Kay-Achim Schönbach had already explained that the trip was to be organised by the Bavaria also serves to "demonstrate that Germany stands up for the freedom of the sea lanes and compliance with international law in the region on the side of its international value partners". At the same time, the Navy emphasised that this was "a normal presence and training cruise".
Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer went even further and tweeted about "our values" and respecting existing law shortly before setting sail. Sea routes should be navigable without restriction and open societies protected. The deployment of the Bavaria is a "sign of solidarity" with Germany's value partners in the region.
An academic from Beijing's Renmin University, quoted in the pro-government Chinese Global Times, had some very kind words to say about the visit of the Bavaria. In contrast to the British Carrier Strike Group, the German warship will not behave in a confrontational manner in the South China Sea and will not enter the twelve-mile zone around the island groups claimed by China. The potential harbour visit appears to be peaceful and to send a signal that the frigate is not coming in the spirit of confrontation. Rather, a visit to Shanghai appears to serve to improve communication, transparency and mutual trust. In this sense, the scientist is quoted as saying, the Bavaria welcome. However, the Global Times also points out once again that the "real reason for the visit" is still unclear.
Defence Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer bids farewell to the Bavarians
Kramp-Karrenbauer has taken a bold step by announcing Shanghai as one of the planned harbours and at the same time taking a swipe at Beijing. If the frigate is indeed to visit Germany's most important trading partner, Berlin will have no choice but to reconsider the highly symbolic nature of the trip.
Ultimately, the question must be asked: Wouldn't a cancellation of the port visit in Shanghai by the Chinese government actually be convenient for our navy and the German government? After all, such a step would have confirmed the minister's statements regarding the differing values and legal conception virtually without further ado and China would have passed the buck. Would the Chinese Bavaria and seduce them into joint exercises, the Minister's position would be thwarted. This would also not be a good signal for cooperation with partners in the region. If this were even a way for Beijing to drive a wedge between the European countries, the mission of the Bavaria failed.
Text: mb; Photos: hsc, Bundeswehr/Leon Rodewald
English 
German
This trip has been heavily criticised from many sides for a variety of reasons. Some see it as an aggressive approach and speak of gunboat politics. Others criticise the fact that there is no European solidarity with the British and French. And still others see the itinerary as an expression of cowardice towards China, in stark contrast to the courageous voyage of the British carrier group.
The trip is often portrayed as if Germany is stumbling clumsily and cluelessly into an adventure without knowing what it wants. This overlooks the fact that the corresponding activities of other nations are just as criticised. For example, some in Washington interpret the British trip as kowtowing to Beijing (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/britain-kowtows-to-china-in-the-south-china-sea). In this respect, the waters we are travelling to are a politically mined area.
The communication about Bayern's journey was certainly not always clear. However, we should leave the church in the village. The project is similar to those of other European countries and has corresponding pros and cons. It will not trigger a war with China, but neither will it curb its power ambitions. However, it is a step towards developing Western co-operation in the face of these ambitions. Once is always the first time, and afterwards we will all be smarter.
It is long overdue for Germany to send a naval vessel to this region again. The last time a German naval unit travelled to South-East Asia was 19 years ago (!). And this despite the fact that Germany's economic and security policy interests are focussed there. And typically German: there doesn't seem to be a clear strategy. Just as China is asking about the purpose of the voyage, the allies will also be asking why the BAYERN is not being integrated into the British carrier organisation, for example.