France is pressing its allies in the European Union (EU) -- especially Germany and the United Kingdom (despite Brexit) -- to establish joint EU naval patrols of the South China Sea.
France is urging the 27-nation EU to coordinate naval patrols in the South China Sea to ensure a "regular and visible" presence in the disputed waters illegally claimed by China, the latest sign of an international counter to China's militarization of this strategic waterway.
France has shown keen interest in leading naval patrols of the South China Sea by warships of the European Union to defend freedom of navigation still threatened by China's opposition to the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines that denied China's aim to own most of these waters.
The French government said the protection of freedom of the seas is vital from an economic standpoint. It's also concerned a loss of this right in the South China Sea might lead to similar problems in the Arctic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea, said Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
"If we want to contain the risk of conflict, we must defend this right, and defend it ourselves," said Le Drian.
Le Drian asserted that France will continue to sail its ships and fly its planes wherever international law allows, "and wherever operational needs request that we do so."
The EU has urged the claimant states in the South China Sea, including China, to resolve their disputes peacefully, while calling for the continuation of free navigation through the South China Sea.
Warships of the French Navy are expected to begin patrols of the disputed South China Sea, perhaps by as early as this year, as the government of President François Hollande seeks to enforce its defense of the rules based international order.
Expected to lead the French Navy patrols in the South China Sea are its frigates, the backbone of the French surface fleet. French frigates secure the aero-naval space and escort other forces such as the aero-naval and amphibious groups. The French Navy has 26 frigates equipped for anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine operations.