German president says Europe is worried over tensions in the disputed South China Sea

During a state visit to Manila, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned Europe is worried about rising tensions in the South China Sea and compared the risk to the recent Strait of Hormuz blockade that threatened freedom of navigation.
Germany pledged continued support for the Philippine coast guard and urged adherence to international law, pointing to the 2016 Hague arbitration that rejected China’s expansive claims.
The visit underscored broader geopolitical stakes—U.S. defense ties with the Philippines and China’s refusal of the arbitration—making the dispute a major trade and security talking point.