UK Warship Patrols Taiwan Strait Despite China Objections

The British Royal Navy warship HMS Spey conducted a passage through the Taiwan Strait on June 18, marking the first such transit in four years, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The UK and Taiwan affirm that the Taiwan Strait is international waters and emphasize the right to freedom of navigation, while China vehemently opposes the patrol, calling it an intentional provocation and a disruption to regional peace and stability. China's Eastern Theatre Command closely monitored HMS Spey during its transit and accused the UK of distorting legal principles and misleading the public. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the British patrol as a concrete defense of navigation rights and a demonstration of commitment to regional stability. In response to increased military activities by China around Taiwan, Taiwan’s president ordered heightened surveillance and intelligence efforts. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and surrounding waters, while the UK, the US, Taiwan, and allies maintain the strait’s international status.