A Royal Navy warship will sail through the South China Sea in an effort to assert freedom of navigation rights in waters where Beijing is increasingly extending its control.
HMS Sutherland, a Type 23 frigate, will travel through the key trading lane after concluding a visit to Australia, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced.
Mr Williamson made the announcement during a visit to Australia to meet his counterpart Marise Payne in Sydney, where they discussed North Korea, cyber warfare and terrorism. The trip was also designed to push Australia to buy the UK’s Type 23 replacement, the BAE-built Type 26.
He told The Australian: “[Sutherland] will be sailing through the South China Sea and making it clear our Navy has a right to do that.
“World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once. The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership.”
Read more at The Independent
Click here for updated South China Sea news
- China installed military jamming equipment on Spratly islands, U.S. Says[10/04/2018 07:49]
- China, Vietnam promise to keep peace in South China Sea [02/04/2018 08:15]
- U.S. Warship sails past South China Sea artificial island in Freedom of Navigation Mission[24/03/2018 00:00]
- ASEAN's Sydney Declaration aired strongest position on South China Sea [23/03/2018 00:00]
- China, Philippines discuss joint South China Sea projects[21/03/2018 00:00]
- U.S. aircraft carrier and MSDF helicopter destroyer conduct joint exercises in disputed South China Sea[14/03/2018 00:00]
- ASEAN military chiefs push for peace in South China Sea [12/03/2018 00:00]
- USS Carl Vinson makes historic visit to Vietnam in 'routine' port call[05/03/2018 00:00]
- Philippines identifies sites in South China Sea for potential joint exploration with China[03/03/2018 00:00]
- Philippines: Risks rising with China challenging US at sea[20/02/2018 00:00]
- US accuses Beijing of ‘provocative militarisation’ of South China Sea[10/01/2018 07:35]
- Trump sets out national security strategy of ‘principled realism’ and global competition[19/12/2017 00:00]
- China to Boost Military Muscle at Sea to Deter Foreign Powers[17/12/2017 00:00]
- China Quietly Building More Facilities in the South China Sea[14/12/2017 00:00]
- Australia hits China's activities in South China Sea in foreign policy paper[06/12/2017 00:00]
- China confirms deployment of fighters to South China Sea island for first time[04/12/2017 00:00]
- An Australian politician has been sacked over comments on the South China Sea[02/12/2017 00:00]
- Vietnam's international conference highlights cooperation on East Sea[28/11/2017 03:00]
- Australia Fears Asia Power Shift to China If U.S. Withdraws[24/11/2017 09:46]
- China air force again flies round Taiwan, over South China Sea[23/11/2017 00:00]