Beijing has slammed Britain for sailing its warship through the hotly-contested Taiwan Strait, saying the behaviour “harboured evil intentions”.
Britain’s military confirmed that the HMS Richmond passed through the area on its way to Vietnam.
The ship has been deployed to the East China sea as part of the United Nation’s sanctions effort against the rogue state of North Korea.
Meanwhile, China of course regards Taiwan as a province that could be brought back under its control by force if necessary.
The People’s Liberation Army has since warned that it has organised both air and naval forces to follow Britain’s ship.
The Army says “theatre command forces always maintain a high level of alert and resolutely counter all threats and provocations.”
