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South China Sea row erupts as UK sends Royal Navy ship into contested waters
TENSIONS in the South China Sea have reached boiling point after the UK sent a Royal Navy ship into the highly contested waters.
By STEVEN BROWN
13:40, Mon, Oct 4, 2021 | UPDATED: 13:40, Mon, Oct 4, 2021
Bill Hayton on economic impact of South China Sea tensions
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The South China Sea is a highly contested region and faces claims from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Diplomatic relations between the nations are already extremely strained. Over recent months, Beijing has asserted its dominance in the region and has built several military bases on some of the atolls.
In a show of strength to Beijing, HSM Queen Elizabeth and her carrier group are due to sail through the contested region.
Now, all eyes are on Beijing as the UK Carrier Strike Group 21 has entered the region through the Bashi Channel.
This comes after China and Taiwan are on the brink of war after a record-breaking 38 Chinese military planes have been spotted in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Taiwan has long been a tense subject for China since a separate government was established on the island following the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and remains an important ally of Western countries.
HMS Queen Elizabeth enters South China Sea (Image: Getty)
HMS Queen Elizabeth (Image: Getty)
Fears have erupted over recent months that, under Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing will use military force to reunify Taiwan with mainland China.
This comes months after Chinese state media warned any vessels which stray too close to islands it lays claims to will be "expelled".
A Beijing academic told state media that "China welcomes friends with wine but deals with wolves with a shotgun".
The UK carrier strike group is currently on a round-the-world tour as part of her maiden voyage.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson called on to stand up to China at UN over Taiwan
HMS Queen Elizabeth (Image: Getty)
The vessels have taken part in joint military exercises with several nations.
China's state mouthpiece Global Times previously warned Beijing will also carry out separate sets of military drills in the sea at the same time.
An expert told the newspaper in June: "While the Chinese military drills are not likely directly related to the UK warships, they show that the [navy] is at high combat readiness.
"Just like US warships that intruded Chinese islands and reefs in the region, if UK vessels do the same, they will also be expelled."
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South China Sea conflict mapped (Image: Express)
A second expert added: "The [navy] will closely monitor the UK warships' activities, stand ready to deal with any improper acts, and also see this as a chance for practice and for studying the UK's latest warships up close."
China's warning to the UK came after Beijing expelled an American warship after claiming it had illegally entered its territorial waters in the region.
Back in May, the Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command said the USS Curtis Wilbur entered the waters near the Paracel Islands without permission.
It said the US action violated China's sovereignty and undermined regional peace and stability.
Protests over China's aggression in South China Sea (Image: Getty)
However, the US Navy's 7th Fleet said the vessel "asserted navigational rights and freedoms" near the Paracel Islands, over which China, Taiwan and Vietnam all claim sovereignty.
The Chinese military's comments were false, it added.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will take part in Exercise Bersama Gold alongside Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand after passing through the South China Sea.
Following joint exercises with the navy of Singapore, Commodore Steve Moorhouse who leads the carrier group said: "The Royal Navy has huge affection for Singapore based on our history together, but Singapore is also a beacon of enterprise in a region that is growing in strategic importance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (Image: Getty)
"The arrival of the Carrier Strike Group in Southeast Asia is a clear sign that the United Kingdom is ready to work with friends and partners, new and old, to strengthen the security and freedoms upon which we mutually depend.
"We are grateful to Singapore for supporting an important logistics stop for RFA Tidespring as the Carrier Strike Group continues our programme at sea.
"We look forward to working with Singapore again in the autumn for Exercise Bersama Gold, which marks the 50th Anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements."
www.express.co.uk
TENSIONS in the South China Sea have reached boiling point after the UK sent a Royal Navy ship into the highly contested waters.
By STEVEN BROWN
13:40, Mon, Oct 4, 2021 | UPDATED: 13:40, Mon, Oct 4, 2021
Bill Hayton on economic impact of South China Sea tensions
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The South China Sea is a highly contested region and faces claims from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Diplomatic relations between the nations are already extremely strained. Over recent months, Beijing has asserted its dominance in the region and has built several military bases on some of the atolls.
In a show of strength to Beijing, HSM Queen Elizabeth and her carrier group are due to sail through the contested region.
Now, all eyes are on Beijing as the UK Carrier Strike Group 21 has entered the region through the Bashi Channel.
This comes after China and Taiwan are on the brink of war after a record-breaking 38 Chinese military planes have been spotted in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Taiwan has long been a tense subject for China since a separate government was established on the island following the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and remains an important ally of Western countries.
HMS Queen Elizabeth enters South China Sea (Image: Getty)
HMS Queen Elizabeth (Image: Getty)
Fears have erupted over recent months that, under Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing will use military force to reunify Taiwan with mainland China.
This comes months after Chinese state media warned any vessels which stray too close to islands it lays claims to will be "expelled".
A Beijing academic told state media that "China welcomes friends with wine but deals with wolves with a shotgun".
The UK carrier strike group is currently on a round-the-world tour as part of her maiden voyage.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson called on to stand up to China at UN over Taiwan
HMS Queen Elizabeth (Image: Getty)
The vessels have taken part in joint military exercises with several nations.
China's state mouthpiece Global Times previously warned Beijing will also carry out separate sets of military drills in the sea at the same time.
An expert told the newspaper in June: "While the Chinese military drills are not likely directly related to the UK warships, they show that the [navy] is at high combat readiness.
"Just like US warships that intruded Chinese islands and reefs in the region, if UK vessels do the same, they will also be expelled."
DON'T MISS
Japan urges European leaders to speak out about China's aggressions [INSIGHT]
‘Destroyer of peace and stability!’ China lambasts US [COMMENT]
Will China invade Taiwan? Western soldiers will ''waste their lives' [REVEAL]
South China Sea conflict mapped (Image: Express)
A second expert added: "The [navy] will closely monitor the UK warships' activities, stand ready to deal with any improper acts, and also see this as a chance for practice and for studying the UK's latest warships up close."
China's warning to the UK came after Beijing expelled an American warship after claiming it had illegally entered its territorial waters in the region.
Back in May, the Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command said the USS Curtis Wilbur entered the waters near the Paracel Islands without permission.
It said the US action violated China's sovereignty and undermined regional peace and stability.
Protests over China's aggression in South China Sea (Image: Getty)
However, the US Navy's 7th Fleet said the vessel "asserted navigational rights and freedoms" near the Paracel Islands, over which China, Taiwan and Vietnam all claim sovereignty.
The Chinese military's comments were false, it added.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will take part in Exercise Bersama Gold alongside Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand after passing through the South China Sea.
Following joint exercises with the navy of Singapore, Commodore Steve Moorhouse who leads the carrier group said: "The Royal Navy has huge affection for Singapore based on our history together, but Singapore is also a beacon of enterprise in a region that is growing in strategic importance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (Image: Getty)
"The arrival of the Carrier Strike Group in Southeast Asia is a clear sign that the United Kingdom is ready to work with friends and partners, new and old, to strengthen the security and freedoms upon which we mutually depend.
"We are grateful to Singapore for supporting an important logistics stop for RFA Tidespring as the Carrier Strike Group continues our programme at sea.
"We look forward to working with Singapore again in the autumn for Exercise Bersama Gold, which marks the 50th Anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements."
South China Sea row erupts as UK sends Navy ship into waters
TENSIONS in the South China Sea have reached boiling point after the UK sent a Royal Navy ship into the highly contested waters.
