Yomiuri wrote from Berlin that the German frigate Bayern departed for the Indo-Pacific on Monday, noting that the deployment represents Germany’s commitment to increasing its military engagement  with the region where China’s presence is growing rapidly. During the months-long voyage that will run through February next year, the frigate is expected to call at ports in Japan, Australia, and elsewhere. The German defense minister issued a statement on the mission saying that his country supports compliance with rules, freedom of navigation, an open society, and rules-based fair trade.