China stated that it expelled a Dutch warship that entered its waters—a rare incident between the two navies that underscores tensions over disputed borders in the South China Sea. This was reported by Bloomberg, according to UNN.
Details
China's naval and air forces employed "necessary measures, including voice warnings and precautionary electronic suppression," after the frigate HNLMS De Ruyter appeared near the Paracel Islands and repeatedly launched a helicopter that violated Chinese airspace, the military said in a statement on Wednesday.
"China resolutely opposes" the actions of the Netherlands, the Southern Theater Command stated, warning that such contacts could "very easily cause misunderstandings and miscalculations."
The Netherlands Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the incident.
The frigate is participating in a five-month Royal Netherlands Navy mission aimed at supporting freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. The vessel had just completed a friendly visit to Manila, where it conducted exercises with Philippine forces.
The incident between Chinese and Dutch forces demonstrates that tensions surrounding the South China Sea persist. Beijing considers approximately four-fifths of these waters as its territory and reacts negatively to the appearance of foreign warships. The sea has long been a source of tension between China and the Philippines, which have competing claims over reefs and small islands in the region.
The commander of HNLMS De Ruyter, Rogier de Wit, stated last week that a People's Liberation Army helicopter approached the frigate in waters near the Philippines. According to him, it was an interaction that was conducted "very professionally on both sides," as reported by the Manila Bulletin.
Addendum
Relations between China and the Netherlands soured last year after the Dutch government took control of Nexperia, a key chip supplier for automotive and consumer electronics. The Chinese company Wingtech Technology Co. filed a lawsuit against Nexperia and related parties in a Chinese court, seeking at least 8 billion yuan ($1.2 billion) in compensation and the restoration of control over its Dutch chip-making unit.
Dutch Trade Minister Reinette Klever (formerly Sjoerd Sjoerdsma in some contexts, but referring to the current delegation) will lead a delegation to Beijing in early July, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday. This visit could help improve relations between the countries.
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