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[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Germany's Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation stated on August 1 that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at the Daniel Inouye Asia-Pacific Security Center in Honolulu that Germany should be more involved in Indo-Pacific affairs, and the challenges in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are more closely linked than ever before.

On July 31, 2024, local time, in Hawaii, the United States, German Defense Minister Pistorius visited Honolulu and visited the German Navy's "Baden-Württemberg" frigate. (Visual China)

According to the official website of the German Ministry of Defense, Pistorius started a week-long visit to the Asia-Pacific region on July 30. After visiting Hawaii, he will also go to South Korea, and the last stop is the Philippines. German TV II reported on July 31 that Pistorius boarded the German "Baden-Württemberg" frigate on the 30th, which was participating in the "RIMPAC 2024" multinational maritime exercise. According to reports, 29 countries led by the United States are currently holding the "RIMPAC 2024" exercise, which is known as the "world's largest", around the Hawaiian Islands and Pearl Harbor. The German Navy sent two warships to participate this time.

Regarding the appearance of German warships in the "Rim of the Pacific" military exercise, some German media analyzed that this was a "deterrence against China." German TV II quoted Pistorius as saying: "This is about the challenges we face because China is pursuing its policies in the region (Pacific Rim). "It is reported that in the coming weeks, the two German warships participating in the exercise are expected to cross the South China Sea.

German media analysis said that during Pistorius's trip to the Asia-Pacific region, the further course of German warships is worthy of attention, because it is not clear whether these warships will cross the Taiwan Strait. According to reports, from August 2021 to February 2022, the German "Bavaria" frigate carried out similar military exercises but avoided the Taiwan Strait. However, in May this year, Pistorius said that a decision should be made in a timely manner whether German naval warships will cross the Taiwan Strait. He said: "Considering that some allies pass through there, this is certainly an option."

Germany's Handelsblatt said that China had previously warned German naval warships not to cross the Taiwan Strait. In May this year, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China has always respected the navigation rights enjoyed by all countries in accordance with international law, but firmly opposes any country provoking or threatening China's sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation. The Asia-Pacific region is a highland of global peace and development. We hope that countries outside the region will do more things that are conducive to peace, stability and prosperity, jointly maintain regional development, and not provoke trouble or create trouble for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. (Aoki)