British carrier leads international fleet into waters claimed by China

[aziqbal]

A British aircraft carrier has led warships from Britain, America, Canada, The Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand into the disputed South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation rights in the face of Chinese claims on the region.

China previously issued a warning to the UK’s Carrier Strike Group not to carry out any “improper acts” as it entered the South China Sea for the first time earlier this year. The pro-government Global Times, which is seen as a mouthpiece for the ruling Chinese Communist Party, said:

“The People’s Liberation Army Navy is at a high state of combat readiness China has been closely monitoring the progress of the Carrier Strike Group, which is currently sailing through the South China Sea en route to Japan. It has also accused Britain of “still living in its colonial days.”

China claims almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory, and it has denounced the presence of foreign warships there as the root of tensions in the region.

HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group.
Who’s in the fleet?

HMS Queen Elizabeth JS Ise USS Ronald Reagan USS Carl Vinson JS Kirishima JS Yamagiri USS Shiloh USS Lake Champlain USS The Sullivans USS Chafee HMS Kent HMS Defender RFA Fort Victoria RFA Tidespring HNLMS Evertsen HMCS Winnipeg HMNZS Te Kaha Conducting joint training
HMS Queen Elizabeth JS Ise USS Ronald Reagan USS Carl Vinson JS Kirishima JS Yamagiri USS Shiloh USS Lake Champlain USS The Sullivans USS Chafee HMS Kent HMS Defender RFA Fort Victoria RFA Tidespring HNLMS Evertsen HMCS Winnipeg HMNZS Te Kaha Conducting joint training

China say that its claim to the sea is based both on the Law of the Sea Convention and its so-called ‘nine-dash’ line. This line extends for 2,000 kilometers from the Chinese mainland, encompassing over half of the sea. However in an historic decision in 2016, the international tribunal in The Hague ruled against part of China’s claims to the sea.

The US, UK and Australia routinely conduct freedom of navigation operations (or FONOPs) to challenge what Washington calls “attempts by coastal states to unlawfully restrict access to the seas”.

Territorial claims in the South China Sea
Both the US and UK have angered China previously by carrying out ‘Freedom of Navigation Patrols’ in the South China Sea to assert rights to freedom of navigation. For more on why the Carrier Group is in the disputed region, follow the link below.



Chinese defence spokesman Tan Kefei was quoted in the South China Morning Post as saying:

“The Chinese side believes that the South China Sea should not become a sea of great power rivalry dominated by weapons and warships. The real source of militarisation in the South China Sea comes from countries outside this region sending their warships thousands of kilometres from home to flex muscles. The Chinese military will take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interest as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing with her Carrier Strike Group.
Back at the start of the month, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told MPs that “It’s absolutely right we exercise and defend the rights, and we do so from the Ukrainian territorial sea to the South China Sea” after discussions on a British warship sailing through Ukrainian territory claimed by Russia.

What happened last time a British vessel sailed through the South China Sea?
HMS Albion has previously sailed through the South China Sea.
In 2018, assault ship HMS Albion was challenged by a Chinese frigate and two helicoptersduring freedom of navigation exercise in the South China Sea. Local media report that both sides remained calm during the encounter and the Royal Navy assault ship continued on course despite protests from China.

What is the UK Carrier Strike Group doing?
HMS Queen Elizabeth is the deployed flag ship for Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21), a deployment that will see the ship and her escorts sail to the Asia-Pacific and back. The Carrier Strike Group includes ships from the United States Navy, the Dutch Navy, and Marines from the US Marine Corps as well as air assets from 617 Sqn, 820 NAS, 815 NAS and 845 NAS.

The Royal Navy say that the UK’s Carrier Strike Group will visit more than one fifth of the world’s nations. Led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, the task group will visit 40 nations including India, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore in a deployment covering 26,000 nautical miles.

“While in the Pacific, ships from the Carrier Strike Group will mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the UK by taking part in Exercise Bersama Lima. Joining HMS Queen Elizabeth on her maiden deployment are destroyers HMS Diamond and Defender; frigates HMS Richmond and Kent; an Astute-class submarine in support below the waves; and Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring.

More than 30 aircraft will also embark across the task group including F-35 jets from 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and the US Marine Corps’ VMFA-211; Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin helicopters from 820 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons. Royal Marines from 42 Commando will also deploy with the carrier. Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen and American Arleigh Burke destroyer USS The Sullivans are also part of the strike group.”

HMS Queen Elizabeth at sea with a mix of British and American jets.
For analysis on the rationale behind entering the South China Sea, followthe link below.

British carrier leads international fleet into waters claimed by China

A British aircraft carrier has led warships from Britain, America, Canada, The Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand into the disputed South China Sea.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[ARMalik]

Well when these British tried to sailed through the Black Sea, the Russians warned them and when they did not listen, a Russian Bomber dropped a bomb right in front of the ship and when the bomb exploded it shook the ship badly, and then British arse holes shi.t in their pants and fled like cowards. This is what Chinese need to do.

 

[Kai Liu]

Shouldn't this idiot clown be banned for editing the original title of the article?

 

[redtom]

China claims almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory

I suggest next time the British should report that China claims the whole earth as Chinese territory so that the British can invade Chinese territory every day.

 

[Sinnerman108]

That is alright,

It's a provocation, and chinese are sane enough not to heed.
Conflict should always be managed to one's advantage.

 

[ChinaToday]

Shouldn't this idiot clown be banned for editing the original title of the article?

Forgive him bro his life has been affected by the pandemic badly.

 

[Falconless]

As much as I dislike the west, the nine dash line is indefensible

 

[Beast]

People need to really understand what is nine dash line means. China claim all islet in nine dash line and not the whole sea. Only sea 12nm within from China controlled islet are under our control.

Don't be misled by these western childish article who distort facts.

 

[K_Bin_W]

A British aircraft carrier has led warships from Britain, America, Canada, The Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand into the disputed South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation rights in the face of Chinese claims on the region.

I have nothing against the brits but please keep in mind in grand scheme of things Brits are nothing they just piggy back on US, A US puppy that cannot do jack. Best advise would be to FO and stay out or you will get hurt pretty bad, China is not a 3rd world 3rd rate power you can go hit and then flood the media with Rambo style actions.

 

[crankthatskunk]

Freedom of navigation!!
The last time they were exercise freely, the natives of North America, South America, Australian, New Zealand lost rights to their own land and become residents of enclaves.

 

[redtom]

As much as I dislike the west, the nine dash line is indefensible

 

[KampfAlwin]

I don't understand, Vietnam's claim is just as ridiculous and they occupy more islands, so why doesn't the 'good guys' challenge it or condemn it? Me thinks this isn't about 'freedom'

 

[aziqbal]

People need to really understand what is nine dash line means. China claim all islet in nine dash line and not the whole sea. Only sea 12nm within from China controlled islet are under our control.

Don't be misled by these western childish article who distort facts.

China claims that area as their territory

yet China did not defend that area when Carriers came in strength

which basically means China has no capability to defend what they call as theirs

Chinas front door just had 4 x flat decks sail right past

Chinese navy was nowhere to be seen

why China did not come out to meet these Carriers

the conclusion here is, China is a bully and is only good at killing its own citizens and attacking weaker countrys

 

[Aesterix]

Britain has now more potholes in the roads than many third world countries. Health care system in crumbling. Local area services such as garbage collection is being missed. All due to lack of money.
But they do have money to go and provoke China.
Talk about priorities.

 

[Beast]

China claims that area as their territory

yet China did not defend that area when Carriers came in strength

which basically means China has no capability to defend what they call as theirs

Chinas front door just had 4 x flat decks sail right past

Chinese navy was nowhere to be seen

why China did not come out to meet these Carriers

the conclusion here is, China is a bully and is only good at killing its own citizens and attacking weaker countrys

Absolutely BS and misleading. China never claim the SCS as their own sea. I seen too many typical smearing western article with plenty of distort facts regard to Chinese nine dash line. And u are one of them with repeat lines to suit your self proclaim victory.

I have challenge UK to renounce one China policy and recognised Taiwan as independent state which u keep avoiding this topic to suit your self declared victory.