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South China Sea
ChinaDiplomacy

Explainer | South China Sea: why France is flexing its muscles in the contested waters

  • France sent warships to South China Sea ahead of joint exercises with US and Japan, after its nuclear submarine conducted patrols
  • Willingness to confront Beijing’s claims in the disputed waters reflects French interests in the Indo-Pacific and plans to work with Quad nations

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French amphibious assault ship the Tonnerre was sent to join three months of training and patrols in the Pacific. Photo: Twitter
Rachel Zhang
The Chinese government has complained about France’s military activities in the disputed South China Sea, after it sent warships there this month. France’s presence in the contested waters comes at a time of increased activity by the American military that has provoked Beijing’s ire.

What is France doing in the South China Sea?

The French Navy in February began three months of training and patrols, sending amphibious assault ship the Tonnerre and the frigate Surcouf from their home port in Toulon, southern France, to the Pacific.

The group will cross the South China Sea twice and take part in a joint military exercise with the United States and Japan in May. France’s plans do not include transiting the Taiwan Strait.

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Days before this training and patrol mission, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said one of France’s nuclear attack submarines, Emeraude, had concluded a patrol through the South China Sea. The passage was regarded as resistance to Beijing’s assertive stance in the contested waters.

Parly said in 2019 at annual intergovernmental security forum the Shangri-La Dialogue that France would continue to sail in the South China Sea at least twice a year. She urged like-minded countries to do likewise, to ensure open access to the waters was maintained.

In 2019, Beijing made the rare move of accusing France of making an illegal entry into Chinese waters, after its frigate Vendemiaire sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The French government called it a normal operation that it had also conducted previously.

Is France’s presence in the Pacific a new thing?

French naval ships have been operating in the South China Sea for years. The present three-month mission has been an annual event since 2015, while the country has carried out joint drills with Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia – even if this was less eye-catching when the South China Sea was a less sensitive topic.

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