The announcement of a policy and even a deployment of Germany's navy in the Indo-Pacific has been of as much interest to me as, if not more than, the UK's Global Britain.
The relationship between China and Germany has also been on our minds, and on the frigate Bayern's Indo-Pacific voyage, Beijing refused to allow her to call at its ports. Is that the reason for the rather long stay in Perth and Darwin, Australia, or was the welcome more than expected? But when Bayern finally left Australia, her next port of call was... well, you guessed it!
Palau.
Palau had been German territory. It was taken over by the Japanese Mandate, but with the rise of the Nazis there were international legal arguments for the sovereignty of the Mandate to be held by Germany. Some Germans remained in Micronesia during the Japanese rule.
During the German period, the Palauans learned German very quickly, and even had pen pals in German. In addition, they used the colonial Germans to establish their power in the island's politics, a strength of character that we still see in front of us today.
What kind of welcome will the Bayern receive in Palau? Will there be joint exercises?
