Between fine words and reasons of state

Obviously, the German government does not take its political signals towards the USA very seriously - but it does towards China.
In connection with the planned voyage of a German frigate to the Indo-Pacific region, Federal Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer pleaded in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland for free trade routes to be respected. "We are not only talking about the freedom of sea routes, which is being jeopardised by China, but we are also prepared to do something about it." He continued: "I want us to do more than just make fine words, we really want to do something." The interview was published in abridged form on the website of the Federal Ministry of Defence on 7 April: https://www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles/verteidigungsministerin-akk-interview-multilateralismus-5049504.
However, Germany will not be present in the Taiwan Strait, where free shipping from China is most controversial. As early as 30 March 2021, State Secretary Peter Tauber responded to a question from MP Ulrich Lechte (FDP): "A voyage through the Taiwan Strait is not planned as part of the frigate's 2021 Indo-Pacific Deployment. Bavaria not planned."
The German government therefore seemed to have decided early on not to antagonise Beijing. Given the reported course of the telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Angela Merkel on 7 April, this comes as no surprise. The Middle Kingdom links development opportunities as well as market and trade opportunities to good behaviour. Berlin is aligning itself with the EU's line, which wavers between inclusion, cooperation and well-dosed criticism. At the same time, Brussels is seeking proximity to like-minded partners such as Japan and Australia. Relations between both countries and China have been clouded for some time. It remains to be seen to what extent Brussels' course can be sustained in view of Washington's expectations.
Exercises by Chinese carrier groups in the vicinity of Taiwan are to become commonplace, according to a statement from the Chinese navy on 5 April 2021. An approach that has not been received without suspicion, especially as Beijing has not ruled out the use of force.
With its strategic focus on containing China, the Biden administration is exercising less restraint and trying to hit Beijing's nerve, maritime security, where it can. The US destroyer John McCain (DDG-56) made a routine (US Navy wording!) transit through the Taiwan Strait these days. The passage was the fourth by a US Navy ship since President Joe Biden took office.
In an attempt to counter China's military and trade expansion by strengthening alliances, in March the US president held the first joint talks with the leaders of Australia, India and Japan as part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad for short, in which the four nations are seeking a balance against China's growing military and economic power. It was Biden's first summit since taking office - not his participation in the EU summit!
With 7,000 soldiers stationed in the Indo-Pacific, France is one of the European nations for which security there is a strategic issue. After Brexit, France is the only EU country that is flying the flag and standing up to Beijing with passages in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. It became bizarre in 2019 when the French frigate Vendémiaire crossed the Taiwan Strait. As a result, the invitation for the ship to take part in the parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese navy was withdrawn. France is also making its presence felt in other areas of the Indo-Pacific. In the Bay of Bengal, France conducted the joint naval exercise La Pérouse 2021 together with the USA, Japan, India and Australia from 5 to 7 April.

Text: Hans-Uwe Mergener; Photo: Bundeswehr