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A German frigate to sail toward Japan in Summer: Nikkei

Silberhorn stressed that the plan is
Silberhorn stressed that the plan is "not aimed at anyone," but analysts in Tokyo links this move to have been taking Chinese expansionism in mind. (Shutterstock)
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27 Jan 2021 02:01:13 GMT9
27 Jan 2021 02:01:13 GMT9

Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Germany is considering sending a naval frigate later this year to Japan, South Korea and Australia as part of a strategic new focus on the Indo-Pacific, Nikkei reported.

This move follows new Indo-Pacific guidelines approved last fall by the German cabinet, that stress the importance of the rule of law and promoting open markets in the region. The frigate deployment will be a first step in realizing the new strategy, according to Nikkei.

Nikkei quoted Thomas Silberhorn, parliamentary state secretary for the Defense Ministry as saying, “We hope to set sail this summer. We have not decided on the details yet, but we are looking at Japan” as a possible port of call. “We want to deepen our ties with our partners in the democratic camp,” he said.

Silberhorn stressed that the plan is “not aimed at anyone,” but analysts in Tokyo links this move to have been taking Chinese expansionism in mind.

Russia and China carried out their second joint air patrol over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in December in a move that was apparently intended to exhibit the strength of military cooperation between Russia and China to counter the alliance of the United States, Japan and South Korea and other “like minded” countries.

The UK, France and the Netherlands have been stepping up their involvement in this geopolitically crucial part of the world.

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