Kiautschou Bay concession
On 13 September 1895, "Cormoran" arrived in Singapore and joined the East Asia Division under the command of Rear Admiral Hoffmann, who flew his flag in the armored cruiser . In July 1896, she participated in the recovery of the stranded gunboat . In October and November 1897, "Cormoran" steamed up the Yangtze River to Hankow. She was also involved in the occupation of the Kiautschou Bay concession. She went to the Philippines during the Spanish–American War in May 1898; the American cruiser prevented "Cormoran" from entering Cavite. In November, she towed "Kaiser" from Samsah Bay in Fujian to Hong Kong for repairs. The tense political situation in German Samoa prompted the "Admiralstab" (Admiralty Staff) to send "Cormoran" to reinforce her sisters and there.