German warship heads for South China Sea amid tension with Beijing

Germany on Monday sent awarshipto theSouthChinaSeafor the first time in almost two decades, joining other Western nations in expanding its military presence in the regionamidgrowing alarm overChina's territorial ambitions.

Chinaclaims swathes of theSouthChinaSeaand has established military outposts on artificial islands in the waters that contain gas fields and rich fishing.

The US Navy, in a show of force against the Chinese territorial claims, regularly conducts so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in which their vessels pass close by some of the contested islands.Chinain turn objects to the US missions, saying they do not help promote peace or stability.

Washington has put counteringChinaat the heart of its national security policy and seeks to rally partners against what it says areBeijing's increasingly coercive economic and foreign policies.

Officials in Berlin have said theGermannavy will stick to common trade routes. The frigate is not expected to sail through the Taiwan Strait either, another regular USactivity condemned byBeijing.

Nevertheless, Berlin has made it clear the mission serves to stress the factGermany does not acceptChina's territorial claims.

Germany is walking a tightrope between its security and economic interests asChinahas become Berlin's most important trading partner.Germanexports there have helped mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Europe’s biggest economy.

GermanDefence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer travelled to the port of Wilhelmshaven to see the frigate Bayern off on its seven-month voyage that will take it to Australia, Japan,SouthKorea and Vietnam.

The vessel is expected to cross theSouthChinaSeain mid-December, making it the firstGermanwarshipto pass through the region since 2002.

"We want existing law to be respected,searoutes to be freely navigable, open societies to be protected and trade to follow fair rules," Kramp-Karrenbauer said.

Countries including Britain, France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, have also been expanding their activity in the Pacific to counterChina's influence.