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Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
China condemns British warship's 'troublemaking' Taiwan Strait transit
BEIJING - China's military on Friday condemned the sailing of a British warship through the Taiwan Strait as a deliberate attempt to "cause trouble", saying it undermined peace and stability in the region. Britain's Royal Navy said the patrol vessel HMS Spey conducted a routine navigation through the narrow waterway that was part of a long-planned deployment and took place in full compliance with international law. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, considers the strait to be Chinese waters. Taiwan, the United States and many of its allies say it is an international waterway. The Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army said the Wednesday sailing of the ship was "public hyping" and that its forces followed and monitored the Spey. "The British side's remarks distort legal principles and mislead the public; its actions deliberately cause trouble and disrupt things, undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," it said in a statement. "Troops in the theatre are on high alert at all times and will resolutely counter all threats and provocations." Taiwan's government welcomed the sailing. "The foreign ministry welcomes and affirms the British side once again taking concrete actions to defend the freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating its firm position that the Taiwan Strait is international waters," the ministry said in a statement. The last time a British warship sailed through the strait was in 2021, when HMS Richmond was deployed in the East China Sea en route to Vietnam. Chinese military followed it at the time and warned it away. The latest passage comes at a time when Britain and China are seeking to mend their relations, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to visit Beijing later this year - the first trip to the country by a British leader since 2018. U.S. Navy ships sail through the strait around once every two months, sometimes accompanied by allied nations. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Hindu
36 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Taiwan detects 50 Chinese military aircraft around island
Taiwan detected 50 Chinese military aircraft around the island, the Defence Ministry said on Friday (June 20, 2025), days after a British naval vessel transitted through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. China insists democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Taiwan also accuses China of using espionage, cyberattacks and disinformation to weaken its defences. Along with the 50 aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels were also detected in the 24 hours to 6:00 a.m. (2200 GMT Thursday), the Defence Ministry said. The latest incursion came after British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait on June 18, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The United States and other countries view the 180-kilometre (112-mile) Taiwan Strait as international waters that should be open to all vessels. The last time a British Navy ship transited the Taiwan Strait was in 2021, when the HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain's aircraft carrier strike group, sailed through from Japan to Vietnam. China strongly condemned Britain at the time and deployed its military to follow the vessel. In March, Taiwan detected 59 Chinese aircraft around the island, the highest tally since a record in October and days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a "foreign hostile force".
The Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Taiwan detects 50 Chinese military aircraft around island
TAIPEI: Taiwan detected 50 Chinese military aircraft around the island, the defence ministry said Friday, days after a British naval vessel transitted through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. China insists democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Taiwan also accuses China of using espionage, cyberattacks and disinformation to weaken its defences. Along with the 50 aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels were also detected in the 24 hours to 6:00 am (2200 GMT Thursday), the defence ministry said. The latest incursion came after British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait on June 18, Taiwan's foreign ministry said Thursday. The United States and other countries view the 180-kilometre (112-mile) Taiwan Strait as international waters that should be open to all vessels. The last time a British Navy ship transited the Taiwan Strait was in 2021, when the HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain's aircraft carrier strike group, sailed through from Japan to Vietnam. China strongly condemned Britain at the time and deployed its military to follow the vessel. In March, Taiwan detected 59 Chinese aircraft around the island, the highest tally since a record in October and days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a 'foreign hostile force'.
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK Royal Navy vessel sails through Taiwan Strait
LONDON - A British Royal Navy patrol vessel has sailed through the Taiwan Strait, a Navy spokesperson said on Thursday, saying the passage complied with international law. "HMS Spey's routine navigation through the Taiwan Strait was part of a long-planned deployment and took place in full compliance with international law," the spokesperson said in a statement. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, says the strategic waterway belongs to it. The last time a British warship sailed through the strait was in 2021, when HMS Richmond was deployed in the East China Sea en route to Vietnam. Chinese military followed it at the time and warned it away. The latest passage comes at a time when Britain and China are seeking to mend their relations, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to visit Beijing later this year - the first trip to the country by a British leader since 2018. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- General
- Reuters
UK Royal Navy vessel sails through Taiwan Strait
LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - A British Royal Navy vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, a Navy spokesperson said, saying the passage was in full compliance with international law. "HMS Spey's routine navigation through the Taiwan Strait was part of a long-planned deployment and took place in full compliance with international law," the spokesperson said in a statement. The last time a British warship sailed through the strait was in 2021, when HMS Richmond was deployed in the East China Sea en route to Vietnam. Chinese military followed it at the time and warned it away.
