Asked later whether the task force would cross the Taiwan Strait on its way to its next stop in Manila, Shulz told reporters that to telegraph the ships' plans would violate operational security.

While the U.S. and other countries have sent warships through the narrow strait in recent weeks, it would be the German navy's first such passage since 2002.

Last month Germany joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war.