Tensions Rising: British Warship Navigates Taiwan Strait, Eliciting China’s Reproach

The Chinese military has strongly criticized the recent passage of the British warship HMS Spey through the Taiwan Strait, denouncing it as an intentional provocation aimed at destabilizing regional peace. In a statement, the Eastern Theatre Command accused Britain of misleading public perceptions and stirring unrest in one of the world's most contested waterways.

Britain's Royal Navy insisted that the vessel's passage was routine and aligned with international law. The navigation through the Taiwan Strait, a critical yet contentious maritime route, was part of a prearranged deployment. London maintains that the strait is an international waterway, a stance echoed by Taiwan, the United States, and their allies.

As China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and its surrounding waters, Britain's actions have been interpreted as a challenge, leading to heightened military vigilance from the People's Liberation Army. This development surfaces ahead of a diplomatic visit by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Beijing, aimed at improving UK-China relations.

(With inputs from agencies.)