UK Royal Navy Passes Through Taiwan Strait, Angers China

The UK said the deployment is ‘in full compliance with international law.’

Personnel onboard the British Navy's HMS Spey salute during the opening ceremony of the 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2025 off the coast of Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Feb. 16, 2025. Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP via Getty Images

A British Royal Navy vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, drawing the ire of the Chinese regime, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, a self-ruled island.

“HMS Spey’s routine navigation through the Taiwan Strait was part of a long-planned deployment and took place in full compliance with international law,” a Royal Navy spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.