Germany to keep deploying forces to Indo-Pacific: president – Nikkei Asia
SHOGO AKAGAWA, Nikkei editor-in-chief for Europe, Middle East and AfricaOctober 31, 2022 19:04 JST
Steinmeier sees China ‘security challenge,’ aims to ‘preserve rules-based order’
LONDON — Germany will continue seriously engaging with security arrangements in the Indo-Pacific region and keep sending its troops to Asia to check the rise of China, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the country’s president, said in a written interview with Nikkei.
Ahead of his visit to Japan and South Korea starting Tuesday, Steinmeier said, “Germany’s aim is to preserve the rules-based international order, and to broaden and strengthen our relations in the Indo-Pacific.” During his stay in Japan, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials.
Germany sent a frigate to East Asia in 2021, and dispatched fighter jets to Japan, South Korea and Australia this year. Asked whether Germany would continue such military deployments to promote stability and order in the region, Steinmeier said, “Yes, we should. And we will,” adding that Germany “is serious about our engagement in the Indo-Pacific.”
“I welcome the fact that our Bundeswehr is also involved in the Indo-Pacific,” he said, referring to the German armed forces.
Germany has traditionally been cautious about sending troops outside Europe, given its Nazi past. But the rise of China, he said, is a “security challenge.” The country is now making more routine military deployments to Asia, something that was previously considered unusual.
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