U.K Patrol Ship Crossing Taiwan Strait Angers China, Taipei On Alert

The Defense Ministry of Taiwan said that it had detected over 70 Chinese military aircraft around the island in the last 24 hours, days after a British naval ship passed through the Taiwan Strait.

The sightings were reported on Friday, as China has continued to increase the deployment of its naval ships and fighter jets around Taiwan over the past few months.

China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, a claim Taipei rejects. Beijing has also threatened to use force and stringent measures to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan has allied with the U.S, which has further hampered China-Taiwan relations.

Around 50 aircraft and 6 Chinese naval ships were detected in 24 hours from 6:00 am on Friday, per the defense ministry. Also, 24 more aircraft, including drones and fighters, were seen since 8:50 a.m.

In the latter batch, 15 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait while performing air-sea joint training with Chinese ships.

This latest development came after the British Royal Navy Patrol Ship HMS Spey passed through the strategic waterway on June 18, 2025, a move criticised by China as a way to ‘cause trouble’.

Britain’s Royal Navy said that the Patrol Ship was conducting a routine navigation, which was part of its deployment and took place in compliance with international law.

The UK, the U.S and other nations view the Taiwan Strait as international waters which should be open to all ships.

A Canadian warship also crossed the Strait in February, a few days after a U.S Navy destroyer and a U.S ocean survey ship also made the journey.

The largest number of Chinese aircraft ever recorded in the Strait was 153, on October 15, 2024, after Beijing conducted massive military drills after a speech made by Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te on National Day.

References: oodaloop, yahoo

Source: Maritime Shipping News