China has sharply criticised the recent passage of British warship HMS Spey through the Taiwan Strait, calling it a “deliberate provocation” that threatens regional peace and stability.The Royal Navy stated the patrol, conducted on Wednesday, was part of a pre-planned deployment and complied with international law. This marks the first such UK naval transit through the strait in four years.China, which views self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, accused the UK of distorting legal norms and attempting to mislead the public. A Chinese navy spokesperson said the patrol disrupted the situation and undermined peace, adding that Chinese forces closely monitored the warship and would firmly counter any perceived threats.Later, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson acknowledged the right of foreign ships to sail through the strait but warned against using “freedom of navigation” to challenge China’s sovereignty.In contrast, Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the British patrol, describing it as a move to uphold freedom of navigation in international waters.HMS Spey is one of two British warships permanently deployed in the Indo-Pacific. Its transit coincides with the arrival of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales-led carrier strike group for an eight-month mission. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the deployment as one of the largest this century, saying it sends “a message of strength to our adversaries and unity to our allies.”About 4,000 UK personnel are participating in the mission, which includes military drills and visits with 30 countries, including the US, India, Singapore, and Malaysia.Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have been intensifying since President Lai Ching-te, who opposes Beijing’s influence, took office in Taiwan. China has responded with frequent military exercises, including live-fire drills simulating strikes on key Taiwanese infrastructure.Meanwhile, China has also raised concerns in Japan by conducting simultaneous military drills involving two aircraft carriers near Japanese waters—an unprecedented move that has drawn Tokyo’s attention.
