German minister confirms warship set to pass through Taiwan Strait

A German navy ship is preparing to navigate through the strait between China and Taiwan despite Chinese protests, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed on Friday.

"The message is very simple, one we have always maintained and I have always maintained: international waters are international waters," said Pistorius, as he addressed the press together with his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

In recent days, senior German defence officials have rejected suggestions from China that sending a German warship through the Taiwan Strait would amount to a provocation.

China regards democratically governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, and the waters of the Taiwan Strait as Chinese - rather than international - waters.

The Baden-Württemberg warship and the combat support ship Frankfurt am Main were positioned on Friday before entering the sea area, according to website data.

If the frigate passes through the Taiwan Strait, it would be the first time since 2002 that a German naval vessel has chosen this route.

"It is the shortest route. Considering the weather conditions, it is the safest route and it is international waters, so we are passing through," Pistorius said.

Warships from other countries, such as the United States, have also passed through the strait in the past, prompting protests from Beijing.