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.

Britains Ministry of Defence did not say when the passage took place.

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 STs Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.