UK Sends Aircraft Carrier to South China Sea, China Conducts Military Drills

(Photo by UK Ministry of Defence)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As the UK sent its latest aircraft carrier strike group to the South China Sea, an international disputed maritime area, China responded by conducting military exercises in the South China Sea and its near seas.

According to major foreign media on the 28th, the China Maritime Safety Administration announced on its website that the Chinese military would conduct exercises from the 26th to the 28th in the South China Sea and near Maoming, Guangdong Province, and from the 27th to the 29th in the South China Sea and near Chuandao, Guangdong Province, issuing navigation restrictions for vessels.

The UK’s 'Queen Elizabeth' carrier strike group, equipped with the vertical takeoff and landing stealth fighter F-35B, is scheduled to pass through the South China Sea and visit South Korea, Japan, and other countries by September.

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated, "The UK has an obligation to assert freedom of navigation on the way to Japan," adding, "It is no secret that China casts a shadow and challenges the movement of vessels in international waters."

The state-run Global Times, citing an anonymous military expert, assessed that the movement of the British carrier is intended to demonstrate the alliance with the United States.

It further noted that although the Chinese military exercises are not directly related to the British warship, they demonstrate China’s high combat readiness, and if the British warship were to engage in the same actions as the US warships that intruded on China’s islands and reefs in the South China Sea, the Chinese military would expel them.

Another military expert said, "The Chinese military is closely monitoring the activities of the British warship and is prepared to respond to any inappropriate actions," adding, "It will also be an opportunity to study the UK’s latest warship up close."

The Chinese Embassy in the UK criticized in a Q&A format with reporters the previous day, saying, "It is absurd to claim that the UK’s freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is being threatened," and "The UK is sending aircraft carriers so far into the South China Sea to provoke disputes and escalate military tensions."

Furthermore, it added, "In the 21st century, the UK’s naval diplomacy no longer works. As an extraterritorial country, the UK should not intervene too far," and "We urge the UK to stop provocations in the South China Sea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.