The Chinese military announced on Friday (June 5) that it had dispatched naval and aerial forces to track and monitor the Dutch Royal Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter as it crossed the Taiwan Strait. In response, the Dutch military stated that the frigate was conducting a freedom of navigation operation in the Indo-Pacific region, in accordance with international law.
According to reports from Reuters, the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command issued a statement on Friday, stating that it had taken “effective measures” in response to the frigate’s transit and that forces would remain on high alert for such actions.
The Dutch side has emphasized that the sailing of the HNLMS De Ruyter complies with international law, with the mission primarily related to diplomatic, security, and economic interests.
The Taiwan Strait serves as a crucial international waterway connecting the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and considers the Taiwan Strait as part of its territorial waters, a position opposed by Taiwan and several Western countries.
In a previous incident last week, Beijing accused the same Dutch warship of “illegally entering” waters near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The Dutch government responded at the time, stating that the vessel had consistently operated in accordance with international law.
As of now, the Dutch Royal Navy has yet to issue a further response to the latest statement from the Chinese military.
According to a message posted on the Royal Dutch Navy’s Facebook page, the HNLMS De Ruyter arrived in the Philippines on May 22 for a three-day visit.
The Dutch Embassy in the Philippines announced on May 23 that this visit was part of a deployment operation codenamed “Pacific Archer,” which is a planned mission focusing on the Indo-Pacific region.