The UK has condemned recent Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, with Defence Secretary John Healey criticising Beijing’s aggressive manoeuvres and calling for international efforts to ease tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
These remarks follow China’s latest military drills, which encircled Taiwan with warships and aircraft, heightening concerns among Western allies.
During a Commons session, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP raised the issue, noting the significance of the Indo-Pacific region in Britain’s strategic defence review. He said:
“In these particularly volatile times, I fully welcome the Government’s strategic defence review. I for one hope it will include serious analysis of the Indo-Pacific region, because many of us are very concerned about China’s recent launch of military drills around Taiwan. Will the Secretary of State use this opportunity to condemn those highly aggressive and intimidatory manoeuvres? What are the Government doing to work with international allies to de-escalate tensions?”
In response, John Healey affirmed Britain’s commitment to a thorough review of defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific, condemning China’s actions:
“I will indeed. My hon. Friend will know that our party went into the election committed to building on commitments the previous Government made on the Indo-Pacific. I want the strategic defence review to be not just the Government’s defence review, but Britain’s defence review. We are consulting military veterans, industry, academic experts, and all parties in this House.”
Healey also mentioned the importance of collaboration with international partners to maintain regional stability.
China’s drills, framed as a response to what it considers separatist movements in Taiwan, have sparked concerns globally. These exercises involved joint air and sea patrols, with the PLA simulating blockades and other military operations around the island. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence condemned the drills as provocative, while Western nations, including the UK, have voiced apprehension over the rising military pressure.
Britain’s condemnation reflects its increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, as the UK seeks to build alliances and play a more significant role in ensuring peace and security in one of the world’s most strategically important areas.
“committed to building on commitments the previous Government made on the Indo-Pacific”
That sounds positive and thankfully far from NATO-first rhetoric!
I don’t think they themselves know where they stand from week to week.
Unless he is saying what he thinks people want to hear.
If I am wrong on that, and HMG mean it re the Indo Pacific, agree it sounds positive.
Oh great! Britain to finally re-understand the importance of Naval might and commit to 50 skimmers, and 17 sun dodger vessels ordered immediately.
Oh. Here was I hoping for a different outcome.
Something the article did not make clear, was the context of this “exercise” this was essentially in response to Taiwanese internal politics and a greater political movement to independence, with some very very robust statements around what will happen if Taiwan continued on the independence road and or if it responded to the blatant aggression of the exercise..as in statements that, “this is an exercise but we are ready to immediately transition to a war” and Taiwanese independence in is incompatible with peace…essentially china is working its way forward to invasion, once its a convinced political warfare will not bring… Read more »
Another #45 term means that the CCP can do whatever they want as NATO will be busy Supporting Ukraine without the USA. . The only NATO member to invoke Article 5 was the USA (9/11) when everyone responded. So clearly NATO membership is the USA national interest. Congress passed a law to prevent an Executive Order to exit NATO. . NATO says the 2014 spending agreement is on track, so his alleged delinquency by Europe is just to trigger his supporters. Lies. . So it’s in the national interest of the free world and Ukraine that convicted fraudster and rapist… Read more »
It seems your nation is apparently full of left wing insurgents, ready to violently try and seize power if Donald wins, so according to Donald it may be necessary to call out the army to prevent any civil disobedience from democrat supports….ironically his own supporters are good people who would not turn to violence protest… I profoundly worry what will happen to your nation on and after the election. I actually had an interesting conversation on line with a Donald support who actually told me that the U.S. was not a democracy it was a republic and protecting democracy was… Read more »