Two German naval vessels passing through Taiwan Strait, defense minister says | ABS-CBN News

Two German naval vessels are navigating through the Taiwan Strait, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday (September 13), becoming the first German naval vessels to do so in 22 years. China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own, says only it exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait. Both the United States and Taiwan say the strait - a major trade route through which about half of global container ships pass - is an international waterway. Speaking in Berlin, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he could confirm the passage of the frigate "Baden-Wuerttemberg" and supply ship "Frankfurt am Main." "International waters are international waters. It's the shortest and, given the weather conditions, the safest route. So we are passing through," he said. Taiwan's defence ministry declined immediate comment. A security source familiar with the situation said the ships would likely fully clear the strait on Saturday. Speaking in Beijing before the transit was confirmed on Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said it condemned excuses for infringing China's sovereignty. (Production: Oliver Barth, Ahmed Al Kerdi, Michele Sani) For more ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgyY1WylJUmgUHWUpi2ioSp4xAP1SmAaf For more latest news and analysis from ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgyY1WylJUmg4pcvfM9a96rbUcLD_0P_U For more News Digital News Raw Cuts, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgyY1WylJUmi83yKJH8Dv0p_3D4cyZKzV Subscribe to the ABS-CBN News channel! - http://bit.ly/TheABSCBNNews Watch the full episodes of TV Patrol on iWantTFC: http://bit.ly/TVPatrol-iWantTFC Visit our website at http://news.abs-cbn.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS Twitter: https://twitter.com/abscbnnews #Exclusive #LatestNews #ABSCBNNews