CHINA-UK: HM NAVY SHIPS SAIL CONDUCT FONOPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
British Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson revealed at the Shangri La Dialogue that two British naval ships have taken part in ‘freedom of navigation’ operations in the South China Sea during the past month. This suggests a revival of British interest in Asian security after four years during which no Royal Navy ship visited the Asia-Pacific. The HMS Albion and HMS Sutherland sailed through parts of the South China Sea to which China is attempting to restrict access. HMS Albion navigated through the Spratly Islands in early May en route from Brunei to Japan. It is not yet clear where HMS Sutherland sailed but it has recently transited from Japan to Singapore through the same region.
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