China threatens UK for sending the aircraft carrier to South China Sea

Beijing: – The United Kingdom announced that it would be dispatching its aircraft carrier to the South China Sea. China, restless with the announcement, has threatened the United Kingdom. The Chinese Defence Ministry warned, ‘China will take necessary steps to protect the South China Sea’s sovereignty.’ Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, in the last month, announced increasing cooperation with India in the Indo-Pacific region by underlining the rising importance of the area. China had objected even to that announcement.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest aircraft carrier in the British naval fleet. In 2017, this aircraft carrier was commissioned in the British Navy. However, to date, the warship has not carried out any marine missions. Former British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson had announced the first marine mission for HMS Queen Elizabeth. This mission also included the South China Sea marine region. Also, the US and Japanese warships were to join the British warship during its voyage through the East China Sea.

The United Kingdom has not announced the timetable for HMS Queen Elizabeth’s mission in the South China Sea. But by the end of this year, the British warship may reach the South China Sea sector. China, restless with this, criticised the mission of the British warship. Tan Kefei, the spokesman of the Chinese defence ministry, accused that, ‘The South China Sea is not a sector to exhibit warships and weapons. Countries, not connected with the sector, are sending their warships to the South China Sea and militarising the sector.’

Kefei also warned, ‘Whereas, the Chinese military will take all the necessary steps for sovereignty, security as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea sector.’ Chinese defence ministry spokesman also claimed that the Chinese military’s presence in the South China Sea has always been helpful for world peace.

China is claiming rights over 90% of the South China Sea, a region rich in natural resources. China has dismissed the claims of the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. The United States has repeatedly challenged the Chinese claim by sending its warships to the sector. At the same time, the United States has established cooperation with India in the Indo-Pacific sector. This had added to the Chinese restlessness.

In this scenario, the United Kingdom’s announcement to send its aircraft carrier to the South China Sea has further added to the Chinese restlessness. Therefore, China has expressed displeasure on the South China Sea mission of the British aircraft carrier.