**UK Warship's Passage Through Taiwan Strait Sparks China Criticism**

The HMS Spey’s transit through the Taiwan Strait, intended to reinforce international navigation rights, has drawn sharp rebuke from China, which deems it a provocative act undermining regional stability.

China's military has condemned a recent passage by a British warship, the HMS Spey, through the Taiwan Strait, branding it an act of "intentional provocation" that jeopardizes peace and stability in the contested waters. The Royal Navy has clarified that the warship's patrol, part of a pre-arranged deployment, adheres to international law. This recent transit — the first by a British ship since 2019 — coincides with the arrival of a UK carrier strike group expected to operate in the area for several months.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have escalated, as Beijing continues to assert its claim over the self-governing island and does not rule out using force for "reunification." In response to the HMS Spey’s journey, China criticized the UK for "publicly hyping up" the mission, labeling British claims as "a distortion of legal principles" intended to mislead the public. China's military reported that it had closely monitored the HMS Spey during its passage, asserting that its "theater command troops are on high alert at all times" to counter perceived threats and provocations.

Taiwan's foreign ministry lauded the HMS Spey’s transit as a vital measure for upholding freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. While American vessels routinely engage in freedom of navigation operations in the strait, the last similar mission by a British warship occurred in 2021 with the HMS Richmond’s deployment to Vietnam, which also faced condemnation from China.

The HMS Spey is one of two British warships stationed in the Indo-Pacific. It is now joined by a carrier strike group led by the HMS Prince of Wales, which British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has identified as one of the largest deployments of the carrier in this century. This military presence, involving approximately 4,000 UK personnel, aims to convey a robust message of strength to adversaries and demonstrate unity with allied nations through military engagements and exercises with the US, India, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Strained cross-strait relations have intensified recently, especially following the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, known for his strong anti-Beijing rhetoric. Beijing remains on alert, frequently conducting military drills in the Taiwan Strait, including live-fire exercises simulating attacks on strategic port and energy facilities. As tensions simmer, China's current criticism arises concurrently with the unprecedented military maneuvers of two Chinese aircraft carriers in the Pacific near Japan, raising concerns for Tokyo and further complicating regional dynamics.