British Navy Vessel Sails Through Taiwan Strait, Amidst Tensions with China

In Beijing, China, on October 14, 2024, a giant screen displayed news footage of military drills conducted by the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas.

A British Royal Navy patrol vessel, HMS Spey, recently navigated through the Taiwan Strait, according to a Navy spokesperson. The spokesperson confirmed that the passage adhered to international law and was part of a pre-planned deployment.

Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed the passage occurred on Wednesday, welcoming the British action as a defense of freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. The ministry emphasized its view of the strait as international waters.

While China's government has not yet issued a statement, the state-backed Global Times newspaper reported that the Chinese military tracked the ship's passage. China claims the strategic waterway as its own territory, while Taiwan maintains it is international.

The last British warship to sail through the strait was in 2021. The current passage occurs as Britain and China are attempting to improve relations, with a potential visit to Beijing by a British leader planned for later this year. U.S. Navy ships regularly sail through the strait, often accompanied by allied nations.