China’s rising naval power is “explosive” according to the German Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Kay-Achim Schonbach. He urged Beijing not to ignore international rules-based orders.

Schonbach stated that China has been increasing its navy size by four times the rate of France’s entire navy.

“I understand Chinese political leaders… Now we want a large navy. We want a blue-water navy’ — of course, also to make power,” Schonbach told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Wednesday. Blue-water Navy is one that is able to operate in all open oceans, and not just near-shore.

He stated, “The issue is how they fit in to the international rules-based arrangement.”

Schonbach spoke as the German frigate Bayern docked at Singapore. As part of an Asia-Pacific six-month deployment, the Bayern arrived in Singapore Monday. The ship is currently sailing through South China Sea. This marks the first German warship deployed to Indo-Pacific for almost two decades.

China’s expanding naval power is a growing concern for both the United States and democracies across Europe, Asia.

Recent research indicates that there is a significant increase in the number of people who are able to afford it. report on Chinese military powerAccording to the U.S. Department of Defense, China is the largest ship-producing country in the world and almost self-sufficient in these endeavors. It also expects China’s second domestically built aircraft carrier to enter service by 2024 and projects the country to maintain between 65 and 70 submarines by the mid-2020s.

China holds most of South China Sea, though it claims other nations’ territory. an international ruling from the HagueThey have repudiated those claims.

During a visit to the Indo-Pacific region last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on China to cease its “aggressive actions” in the region.

Blinken stated in July that the South China Sea is where the rules-based maritime system was most at risk. The People’s Republic of China continues to intimidate and coerce Southeast Asian coast states. This threatens freedom of navigation on this crucial global routeway.

Germany deploys the Bayern after the country issued policy guidelines on the Indo-Pacific region last yearThe statement noted that the Indo-Pacific and European economies are “intensely connected” through global supply chains. Berlin said that conflicts within the region could have negative consequences for Germany.

Schonbach stated that the deployment was “like a teaser”, and shows Germany’s commitment to increase its engagement in Asia. This includes expanding security cooperation and defense cooperation with other regional countries. 

He stated, “We’re now here for the very first time in 19 years. We want to make sure the battlefield is safe.” The guidelines for Indo-Pacific were promulgated by the German government last year. This is just the beginning. The next step, probably, I hope that we can come on a regular basis — two or three years.”