In a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to international maritime law, the Royal Navy’s HMS Spey has completed a patrol through the South China Sea, ignoring repeated warnings from China. The operation, which took place in waters claimed by Beijing but recognized internationally as open for navigation, is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to support freedom of navigation and uphold the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
HMS Spey, a patrol vessel typically used for constabulary duties, was participating in Exercise Bersama Shield 25, a multinational training operation alongside Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The 16-day exercise served to strengthen regional security ties and demonstrate unity in the face of growing tensions over territorial claims. While in the area, HMS Spey conducted a freedom-of-navigation transit that China strongly opposed. Chinese state media and officials criticized the UK, accusing it of provocation and interfering in what they continue to assert are historical Chinese waters, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that rejected those expansive claims.
The UK Ministry of Defence emphasized that HMS Spey’s passage was lawful, peaceful, and consistent with international maritime law. Officials made clear that the Royal Navy will continue to operate wherever international law allows, despite China’s objections. These missions, they say, are necessary not only to push back against Beijing’s increasingly assertive behavior but also to reassure allies and maintain the openness of some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
This is not the first time the UK has tested China’s resolve in the region. In 2018, HMS Albion conducted a similar operation near disputed islands, ignoring warnings and drawing Beijing’s ire. More recently, the deployment of the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales in Indo-Pacific waters marked a broader shift in the UK’s global strategy, one that blends military presence with diplomatic engagement.
British defence officials, including Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, have stressed the importance of reducing the risks of miscalculation while upholding international norms. The UK insists it is not seeking confrontation, but it is determined to defend freedoms that underpin global security.
As China continues to ramp up its military and coast guard presence in disputed areas, the UK and its allies face a delicate balancing act: standing firm in defence of international law without triggering unnecessary escalation. HMS Spey’s mission is just the latest chapter in that ongoing challenge.
