China has followed the Dutch frigate again, now in the Taiwan Strait
The Dutch frigate Zr. Ms. Just like last week, De Ruyter was followed by the Chinese armed forces, Chinese authorities report. This is said to have happened during a transit through the Taiwan Strait.
According to a Chinese statement, naval and air force units have been deployed to “track and monitor” the ship during its passage. China’s armed forces remain “on high alert at all times” and will protect “national sovereignty and regional peace and stability,” according to the statement.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense has not yet responded.
Last week, the Chinese army claimed to have expelled the frigate from the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands. The Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed that it was Sr. Ms. De Ruyter went, but did not comment on details.
According to Marinetraffic, a site where the location of ships can be tracked, Sr. Ms. De Ruyter presented himself four days ago the Vietnamese coast. After the visit to Vietnam, the ship was supposed to set sail for South Korea. Sailing via the Taiwan Strait is the shortest route.
Sr. Ms. De Ruyter is an air defense and command frigate of Defense that left Den Helder seven weeks ago for an international naval exercise in Southeast Asia. The ship will participate in international operations and exercises with allies and partners for five months.
The Netherlands and other Western allies, such as the United States, follow international law, which states that the Taiwan Strait is freely navigable. All ships, including military ships, have the right to transit these types of straits. China considers Taiwan part of its own territory.
It often happens that China intimidates ships in surrounding waters. Last year it happened to a US naval ship and two years ago the Dutch frigate Zr. Ms Tromp in the East China Sea followed by Chinese fighter planes, which circled above the navy ship.
China also intimidates foreign ships more often in the Taiwan Strait. It happened to an Australian ship last month and this year also to ships from Canada, the US and Japan.
Source: NOS