Chinese Spy Scandal Rocks UK Parliament

 

Politico.eu: Shock and recriminations as Chinese spy scandal rocks UK parliament  

Rishi Sunak under pressure to toughen stance on Beijing. 

 LONDON — Rishi Sunak has spent most of his brief premiership treading a delicate balance on relations with China. So the last thing the British prime minister needed as he enters a careful autumn of diplomacy was a Chinese spy scandal erupting in his midst. 

Westminster is this week reeling from the news that a British citizen working as a parliamentary researcher for MPs is under arrest on suspicion of spying for Beijing. 

Two men, one in his 20s and another in his 30s, were arrested under the Official Secrets Act in March, police confirmed, after the news was reported in the Sunday Times.  

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WNU Editor: Beijing has responded (see video below). 

 

Chinese Spy Scandal Rocks UK Parliament 

 Conservative candidates dropped after MI5 warned they could be Chinese spies -- The Guardian

UK's MI5 warned Conservatives over possible Chinese spy candidates - Times -- Reuters  

Security services warn over Chinese infiltration in politics -- BBC  

MI5 warned Tories two MP hopefuls could be spies - reports -- Herald Scotland  

UK government under pressure to take tougher line on China amid spying allegations -- CNN

London Council Rejects New Chinese Embassy Proposal Over Security Fears

An artist's impression of the proposed new Chinese Embassy in London. CBRE  

CNN: China’s plans for giant new London embassy unexpectedly rejected by local officials on security grounds  

China’s plans for a giant new embassy opposite the Tower of London have been unanimously rejected by local councilors on the grounds they pose a security risk to local residents, in a surprise decision that comes amid growing concerns over Beijing’s diplomatic activity in the United Kingdom. 

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets had indicated it was preparing to wave through the proposals drafted by the embassy’s architect, David Chipperfield, as recently as Wednesday, telling CNN then that the proposed initiative was “generally in accordance” with the area’s development plan and that “on this basis officers have recommended that planning permission and listed building consent are granted.”  

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WNU Editor: That is one big proposed Chinese embassy.

London Council Rejects New Chinese Embassy Proposal Over Security Fears 

Chinese embassy move to Tower Hamlets rejected by council -- BBC  

China's plan to build super embassy near Tower of London are thrown out by council -- Daily Mail  

London council rejects new Chinese embassy amid residents’ safety fears -- The Guardian 

London says no to a big Chinese Embassy, in a blow to Beijing ties -- NPR  

Chinese ‘super embassy’ blocked in London in blow to Xi Jinping -- The Telegraph

British Prime minister Rishi Sunak Says UK's 'Golden Era' With China Is Over

 

CNBC: ‘Golden era’ for Britain and China’s relationship is over, UK PM Rishi Sunak says 

* Beijing’s move toward even greater authoritarianism posed a systemic challenge to Britain’s values and interests, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned. 

* “Let’s be clear, the so-called golden era is over,” Sunak said Monday at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London. 

* His comments come shortly after public demonstrations were held across China to protest the country’s stringent zero-Covid policy. 

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the so-called golden era of relations with China was over, warning that Beijing’s move toward even greater authoritarianism posed a systemic challenge to Britain’s values and interests. 

“Let’s be clear, the so-called golden era is over,” Sunak said Monday in his first major foreign policy speech. 

His reference to the “golden era” for the U.K.-China relationship echoed comments made by former U.K. Finance Minister George Osborne in 2015, who had claimed Britain could be China’s “best partner in the West.”  

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WNU Editor: China is still China. It has not changed. What has changed is the West, and specifically, their views towards China. 

British Prime minister Rishi Sunak Says UK's 'Golden Era' With China Is Over  

Rishi Sunak: Golden era of UK-China relations is over -- BBC  

Rishi Sunak signals end of ‘golden era’ of relations between Britain and China -- The Guardian  

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says 'golden era' with China is over -- ABC News Australia 

Rishi Sunak declares 'golden era' between UK and China is over -- SKY News

UK Says China’s Military Is Recruiting Ex-British Air Force Pilots For Training And Intel

 

CNBC: China’s military is trying to recruit ex-British Air Force pilots for training and intel, UK says 

* While training and recruiting pilots is not illegal under U.K. law, the practice presents an intelligence risk as U.K. officials suspect China’s military aims to learn about tactics and operations employed by Western pilots. 

* Some 30 former British military pilots are believed to have gone to work for China to train personnel in its People’s Liberation Army, according to a BBC report. 

* Recruitment is said to be ramping up, with former pilots being offered large paychecks to work for the Chinese. 

China’s military is headhunting ex-British Air Force pilots for their training skills and expertise — and the U.K. government is working to stop it, the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence said Tuesday. 

“We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes attempting to headhunt serving and former UK Armed Forces pilots to train People’s Liberation Army personnel in the People’s Republic of China,” an MOD spokesperson told CNBC in a statement. 

Some 30 former British military pilots are believed to have gone to work for China to train personnel in its People’s Liberation Army, according to a BBC report on the topic published Tuesday. Recruitment is said to be ramping up, with former pilots being offered large paychecks to work for the Chinese.  

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WNU Editor: This is a major security breach. There are now calls to have these pilots stripped of their citizenship .... Calls to strip ex-UK pilots of citizenship for training Chinese army branded 'unfair' (iNews). 

UK Says China’s Military Is Trying To Recruit Ex-British Air Force Pilots For Training And Intel  

Ex-UK pilots lured to help Chinese military, MoD says -- BBC  

China's armed forces recruiting dozens of British ex military pilots in 'threat to UK interests' -- SKY News 

China has recruited dozens of British ex-military pilots to train Chinese counterparts: report -- FOX News

UK to issue ‘threat alert’ over China’s attempts to recruit RAF pilots -- The Guardian  

UK warns China is recruiting British pilots to train its military -- CNN

UK Says Working To Stop China Recruitment Of Ex-airforce Pilots -- Barrons  

UK to change law to stop RAF pilots training Chinese military, says minister -- The Guardian  

Name and shame the treacherous pilots! Former colleagues slam RAF Top Guns who trained Chinese how to shoot down aircraft as 'traitors' -- Daily Mail  

Why China Has Targeted Ex-U.K. Military Pilots: Even Old Dogs Can Teach Valuable Tricks -- Forbes  

Is China Really Using Ex-UK Military Pilots For Tactics Insights? Sure Seems Like it -- Warzone/The Drive

China Fires Back At Espionage Accusations By U.S. And U.K. Intelligence Officials

Embassy Spokesperson's Remarks on the Wrong Comments Related to China by US and UK Intelligence Officials on July 7, 2022. Source: The Chinese Embassy in the UK  

Global Times: ‘Chinese espionage’ remarks by US and UK intelligence officials pure shadow chasing: embassy 

The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK stated on Thursday that China strongly condemns and firmly disapproves of the fictitious allegations created against China by US and UK intelligence officials.

The so-called cases they listed, including "stealing" Western technology and interfering and interfering in a congressional election in the US, are pure shadow chasing as well as the typical example of a thief crying "catch thief," the spokesperson added.  

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Update #1: China lashes out at US, British intelligence services (AP) 

Update #2: China denies espionage accusations from U.S., U.K. (Axios)  

WNU Editor: China is reacting to this .... Heads Of MI5 And FBI Warn Of Immense Threat Posed By Chinese Spying In First Ever Joint Speech (July 6, 2022).

MI5 Says A Chinese Spy Has Infiltrated The UK Parliament

 

BBC: MI5 warning over 'Chinese agent' in Parliament 

MI5 has issued a rare warning that an alleged Chinese agent has infiltrated Parliament to interfere in UK politics. 

An alert from the security service said Christine Ching Kui Lee "established links" for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with current and aspiring MPs. 

She then gave donations to politicians, with funding coming from foreign nationals in China and Hong Kong. 

It comes after a "significant, long-running" investigation by MI5, Whitehall sources told the BBC.  

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WNU Editor: She has been in the UK for a very long time .... The clues were there for anyone who chose to look: An office INSIDE China’s British Embassy, glad-handing President Xi… how ‘charming lawyer’ Christine Lee hid in plain sight as a Communist spy (Daily Mail). 

China is denying these claims .... China denies 'spy' allegations as Christine Lee is exposed by MI5 to have given £700k to Labour (The SUN). More here .... Some people have seen too many James Bond films, Chinese FM responds to UK allegation of 'political interference' (Global Times). 

MI5 Says A Chinese Spy Has Infiltrated The UK Parliament  

MI5 issues a rare statement naming a woman it suspects is a Chinese agent and warning British politicians to avoid her -- Insider 

UK authorities suspect Chinese spy active in parliament -- France 24  

Woman connected to Chinese Communist Party 'seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics,' MI5 says -- CNN  

MI5 accuses lawyer of trying to influence politicians on behalf of China -- The Guardian  

Chinese ‘agent’ Christine Lee caught targeting Westminster sparking major Parliament spy scandal -- The SUN  

Chinese spy infiltrated UK Parliament -- Al Jazeera  

Chinese spy Christine Lee operated out in the open, damaging trust and creating an atmosphere of paranoia -- SKY News

Harsh Words On China From MI6 Boss 'C'

 

Daily Mail: MI6 boss 'C' warns China is setting 'debt traps and data traps' for the world and conducting 'large scale espionage' operations against the UK 

* Richard Moore said Beijing used 'debt traps and data traps' against its targets China has been accused of giving countries loans with onerous conditions 

* Been able to acquire 'significant ports' thanks to these arrangements, he said 

* Beijing recently accused of trying to take over Uganda's international airport 

The head of MI6 today warned that China is setting 'debt and data traps' so it can exert influence abroad and conducting 'large scale espionage' operations against the UK. 

Richard Moore, who is also known by the letters 'C' or 'Q', said Beijing was becoming increasingly assertive in using its financial might to get poorer nations 'on the hook' and then use their vulnerability as 'leverage'. 

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WNU Editor: China has responded to MI6 Richard Moore's warnings on China .... UK MI6’s China-related remarks deliberately distort facts, provoke ideological confrontation: FM (Global Times). 

More News On MI6 Chief's Remarks On China  

MI6: China becomes single greatest focus for intelligence service as country accused of large-scale espionage operations against UK -- SKY News  

MI6 chief warns on ‘assertive’ China in rare broadcast interview -- The Independent  

China ‘Single Greatest Priority’ for UK’s MI6 Intelligence Agency -- Epoch Times  

China threatens data sovereignty, says Britain’s spy chief -- Politico.eu  

MI6 boss warns of China 'debt traps and data traps' -- BBC  

MI6 Warns China 'Miscalculation,' 'Overconfidence' Could Lead to War With U.K., Allies -- Newsweek  

UK spy chief suggests China risks ‘miscalculation’ over Taiwan -- The Guardian  

UK spy chief: ‘The risk of Chinese miscalculation through overconfidence is real’ -- CNBC

China Condemns UK Warship Making Rare Transit Through The Taiwan Strait

Beijing claims it 'followed and warned' HMS Richmond as it sailed through the 110-mile wide passage on its way to Vietnam.  

Daily Mail: China accuses Britain of 'harbouring evil intentions' and claims its military 'followed and warned' a Royal Navy frigate during rare voyage through sensitive Taiwan Strait 

* Beijing claims it 'followed and warned' HMS Richmond as it sailed through Strait 

* While US warships often make the voyage, its allies have been more reluctant 

* Comes amid soaring tensions with the Chinese over new Aukus security pact 

* Deal is in part viewed as a means to countering aggression in South China Sea 

China today accused Britain of 'harbouring evil intentions' after a Royal Navy frigate made a rare voyage through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. 

Beijing claims it 'followed and warned' HMS Richmond as it sailed through the 110-mile wide passage on its way to Vietnam. 

While US warships make an almost monthly voyage through the Strait, its allies have been more reluctant to follow suit. 

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More News On A China's Reaction To A UK Warship Transit Through The Taiwan Strait 

UK warship makes rare transit through Taiwan Strait -- France 24  

China criticizes UK over 'evil intentions' after warship sails through Taiwan Strait -- The Hill  

China accuses British navy of 'evil intentions' as UK warship sails through Taiwan Strait -- SKY News  

China blasts Royal Navy’s ‘malicious’ sail in Taiwan Strait as ‘undermining peace and stability’ -- RT  

China says it has warned away a British warship as it sailed through the Taiwan Strait -- ABC News Australia

China Mocks The U.K.'s Deployment Of Its Navy To Asia

Photo taken on Monday shows F-35B fighter jets on the deck of British aircraft carrier the Queen Elizabeth at the US Navy base in Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo. Photo: AFP 

Global Times: UK sends 'less-capable' warships to Asia-Pacific, 'no threat to PLA' 

Presence politically significant, no match for China’s basic combatants: experts 

With two offshore patrol vessels setting out from a UK naval base on Tuesday, the country reportedly started to permanently station its warships in the Asia-Pacific region, at a time when the US is rallying its allies to the region in an attempt to confront and contain China.

Armed with only light weapons, the UK ships are only showing off their presence after Brexit and making political statements that the UK bows to the lead of the US. 

And just like the ongoing tour of the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to the region, these vessels cannot yield any military significance or become a real threat to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese analysts said on Tuesday.  

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WNU Editor: It appears that the Chinese view these warships to be good for only "target practice" .... Reports: British carrier followed by Chinese subs, possibly for target practice (UPI). 

The warships that the Chinese are more concerned about are from the US Navy .... PLA on alert amid US' provocative destroyer, carrier activities in South China Sea (Global Times).

Chinese State Media Says Their Submarines Used U.K. Warships For Target Practice

A new type of conventional submarine of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy takes part in a naval parade staged to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the PLA Navy on the sea off Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on April 23, 2019. Photo: Xinhua  

Newsweek: China Submarines Used U.K. Warships for Target Practice, State Media Claims 

China's nuclear-powered submarines may have been using the U.K.'s aircraft carrier group for target practice before intentionally revealing themselves to British warships, a Communist Party newspaper said on Monday. 

The report by the state-owned tabloid the Global Times cited unnamed experts in a direct response to a report out of London claiming the Chinese submarines had been detected "stalking" the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group (CSG) during its deployment to Asia. 

The Daily Express reported on Monday that sonar operators onboard HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, two frigates that form part of HMS Queen Elizabeth's escort fleet, detected a pair of PLA Navy Type 093 submarines shadowing the carrier group from the South China Sea into the Western Pacific.  

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Update: Chinese nuclear attack subs 'stalking' Britain's new aircraft carrier across Pacific (Daily Express)  

WNU Editor: China's response to these reports has been vague. On the one hand denying these reports, on the other hand admitting it happen .... Media report claiming UK carrier group spots PLA submarines ‘not credible’ (Global Times).

China Warns Britain Is 'A Bi*ch And Is Asking For A Beating' If British Warships Challenge Beijing's Claim To The South China Sea.

China has warned Britain to ‘remain restrained and obey the rules’ as the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group (CSG) sails through the South China Sea (PA Media)

The UK strike group plans to carry out 'freedom of navigation' operations in the South China Sea as a rebuke to Beijing, which claims part of the waters as its own  

The Independent: China warns ‘b***h’ Britain about aircraft carrier sailing in disputed South China Sea 

China has warned Britain against provocation in the wake of Britain’s HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group approaching the South China Sea through the Strait of Malacca on Sunday. 

“We seriously warn this group: They are obliged to remain restrained and obey the rules. Please follow the current international shipping lanes and stay at least 12 nautical miles away from the Chinese islands and reefs,” wrote state mouthpiece Global Times. 

China’s defence ministry spokesperson, Wu Qian, said the country respected freedom of navigation but “the action should never try to destabilise regional peace, including the latest military collaboration between the UK and Japan”.  

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WNU Editor: Here is Chinese state media's warning .... UK shouldn’t tempt own fate in South China Sea (Global Times editorial). 

More News On China Warning Britain Is Asking For A Beating' If British Warships Challenge Beijing's Claim To The South China Sea.  

China has warned Britain is 'a bi*ch... asking for a beating' if British warships challenge Beijing's claim to the South China Sea. -- Daily Mail 

China tells UK to ‘obey the rules’ as Royal Navy enters South China Sea -- Evening Standard 

'Obey the rules': China's stern warning to the UK -- AAP  

UK says it has no plans for South China Sea confrontation after Beijing warning -- The Guardian  

Britain Wants No Escalation in South China Sea, Report Says After Royal Navy Mission Irks Beijing -- Sputnik  

UK's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier pictured in South China Sea -- CNN

UK Foreign And Defence Review Says China Is The Biggest State-Based Threat But Recommends Trade And Economic Relations

 

The Guardian: China is major threat, but UK will keep up trade links, says defence review 

Cold war with Beijing not feasible, says Raab, though it is seen as foremost state-based threat to Britain 

The UK will maintain a positive trading and economic relationship with China while recognizing Beijing represents the biggest state-based threat to the UK, the UK foreign and defence review will say. 

The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said China was here to stay and pointed out no other country was taking the kind of strident economic measures against China that hawks were advocating. 

“It would not be feasible to go into some old, outdated, cold war with China,” he said 

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WNU Editor: Chinese media has responded .... UK tilting toward Indo-Pacific to counterweight China ‘immature’ decision (Global Times). 

 More News On The UK Foreign And Defence Review Saying China Is The Biggest State-Based 

UK seeks more influence in Indo-Pacific as 'moderating impact' on China -- Reuters 

UK plans tighter security to allow trade with 'biggest threat' China -- The Times 

UK plans strategic pivot towards Asia and expanded nuclear arsenal -- SCMP 

China Remains 'Biggest State-Based Threat' to UK Economic Security, New Review Reportedly Says -- Sputnik

UK Spy Agencies Are Urging A Rethink

The MI6 building on the bank of the Thames in central London. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

The Guardian: UK spy agencies urge China rethink once Covid-19 crisis is over

MI6 and MI5 expect Beijing to be more assertive and want government to consider tighter control of strategic industries

Britain’s intelligence community believes the UK needs to reassess its relationship with China after the coronavirus crisis subsides and consider if tighter controls are needed over high-tech and other strategic industries.

They reckon China will become more assertive in defending its one-party model as having successfully tackled the pandemic and that Boris Johnson and other ministers will have to take a “realistic view” and consider how the UK responds.

Issues being aired are whether the UK wants to restrict takeovers of key companies in high-tech areas such as digital communications and artificial intelligence, and whether it should reduce Chinese students’ access to research at universities and elsewhere.

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Update: UK Spy Agencies Predict More Assertive China Post-Coronavirus – Reports (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: I for one would not be surprised if all western intelligence agencies are doing a rethink on China right now. And they are not waiting for the end of this pandemic to do this rethink.

Royal Navy Frigate Is Scrambled To Shadow Chinese Warship In The Channel

HMS Westminster in company with Xian (Picture: Royal Navy).

Daily Mail: Royal Navy frigate is scrambled to the Channel to shadow Chinese warship on way home from Russia's annual Navy Days event

* Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster shadowed destroyer through Dover Straits
* Sister frigate HMS St Albans escorted warship Xian on the way to St Petersburg
* Commander said Xian conducted herself in 'safe and professional manner' today

A Royal Navy frigate has shadowed a Chinese warship as it sailed through the English Channel today.

Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster was scrambled to monitor the progress of the destroyer Xian as it entered the Dover Straits today.

The Chinese missile destroyer is a Type 052C armed with eight anti-shipping missiles and 48 surface-to-air missiles.

The 500ft ship also has a 100mm main gun, two 30mm close-in weapon systems and six anti-submarine warfare torpedo tubes.

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Update #1: Royal Navy Escorts Chinese Warship Through Dover Strait (Forces Network)
Update #2: Chinese Destroyer Shadowed by Royal Navy Warship as It Passes Through English Channel (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: This Chinese warship is a long way from home.

U.K. To Sell China ‘Unlimited’ Amount Of Military Radar Equipment And Technology

Britain to sell China ‘unlimited’ amount of military radar equipment, technology. AFP

SCMP: Britain to sell China ‘unlimited’ amount of military radar equipment, technology

* Special export licence approved in April, just weeks after British Prime Minister Theresa May visited Beijing
* Move comes amid closer exchanges between top radar scientists from China, Britain

A British defence company has been given the green light to supply an unlimited quantity of goods to China’s military, including airborne radar technology likely to be used by the PLA Air Force.

Although the supplier has not been named, the “open individual export licence” (OIEL) has been in place since April – two months after British Prime Minister Theresa May visited Beijing – according to information from Britain’s Department for International Trade.

Unlike previous deals involving British arms sales to China, which were capped by amount and value, under the new agreement the supplier can “export an unlimited quantity of goods”, including equipment, components, software and technology for military radar systems, the department said.

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WNU Editor: WTF?!?!?!?

Royal Navy 'Challenges' China By Sailing Close To Islands Claimed By Beijing

The HMS Albion passed near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on its way to Ho Chi Minh City

Reuters: Exclusive: British Navy warship sails near South China Sea islands, angering Beijing

Beijing expressed anger on Thursday after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in “provocation” and that it had lodged a strong complaint.

The HMS Albion, a 22,000 ton amphibious warship carrying a contingent of Royal Marines, exercised its “freedom of navigation” rights as it passed near the Paracel Islands, two sources, who were familiar with the matter but who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

The Albion was on its way to Ho Chi Minh City, where it docked on Monday following a deployment in and around Japan.

One of the sources said Beijing dispatched a frigate and two helicopters to challenge the British vessel, but both sides remained calm during the encounter.

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More News On The Royal Navy 'Challenging' China By Sailing Close To Islands Claimed By Beijing

China sends navy frigate to challenge British warship and accuses the UK of 'provocation' after HMS Albion sails close to islands claimed by Beijing -- Daily Mail
A British warship got involved in a showdown with the Chinese military in the South China Sea -- Business Insider
China furious at Britain for South China Sea sail-by -- New Straits Times/AFP
British warship sails near Chinese-controlled islands in South China Sea -- CNN
Royal Navy 'challenges' China by sailing close to disputed islands -- The Independent
China Says British Warship Entered Its Territorial Waters Without Permission -- The Wall Street Journal
China escorts British assault ship on ‘freedom of navigation’ voyage through South China Sea -- RT

Britain Plans To Send Its Newest Aircraft Carrier To The South China Sea Next Year

A British warship will sail through the South China Sea next year, Defence Minister Michael Fallon said. Reuters/Russell Cheyne

The Guardian: Britain's new aircraft carriers to test Beijing in South China Sea

UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson commits ‘colossal’ carriers to embarking on freedom of navigation exercises in pointed remarks

Boris Johnson has committed the UK’s two brand new aircraft carriers to freedom of navigation exercises in the fiercely contested waters of the South China Sea.

In a pointed declaration aimed squarely at China, whose island-building and militarisation in the sea has unnerved western powers, the British foreign secretary said that when the ships came into service they would be sent to the Asia-Pacific region as one of their first assignments.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese are not going to be amused.

More News On Britain Planning To Send Its Newest Aircraft Carrier To The South China Sea Next Year

Britain plans to send warship to South China Sea in move likely to irk Beijing -- Reuters
British supercarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to deploy to the Pacific -- UK Defense Journal
South China Sea: Britain to deploy 'colossal' warships to test Beijing's territorial claims -- ABC News Online
Britain to send warship to South China Sea to exercise 'right' to freedom of navigation -- International Business Times
New British Warships Head to South China Sea to Send Beijing a Message -- Newsweek
UK to Send Brand New Ships to Disputed South China Sea for Drills -- Sputnik International