The Royal Navy has conducted another freedom of navigation operation in the contested South China Sea, with HMS Spey operating near the Spratly Islands alongside the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Sydney.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed via its official ‘Defence Operations’ social media account that HMS Spey had undertaken a freedom of navigation activity in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The patrol passed near the Spratly Islands—an area claimed in part or in whole by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and others.
HMS SPEY and HMAS SYDNEY have just conducted Freedom of Navigation Activity around the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in accordance with UNCLOS.@RoyalNavy @Australian_Navy pic.twitter.com/rx9kTCGghh
— Defence Operations 🇬🇧 (@DefenceOps) June 23, 2025
“HMS SPEY and HMAS SYDNEY have just conducted Freedom of Navigation Activity around the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in accordance with UNCLOS,” the post read.
The operation marks a continuation of Royal Navy deployments challenging excessive maritime claims in the region. It comes just days after HMS Spey transited the Taiwan Strait, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing, which described that earlier action as “deliberate provocation.”
However, China reacted with fury. State-run media reported that the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command monitored HMS Spey throughout its journey, calling the passage an intentional provocation.
Senior Colonel Liu Runke, spokesperson for the PLA Navy, accused the UK of “hyping up” the transit and described the move as a “distortion of legal principles and an attempt to mislead the public.” The PLA claimed the operation “undermined peace and stability” in the region and warned that Chinese forces would “resolutely counter all threats and provocations.”
In contrast, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence welcomed the Royal Navy vessel, stating that it had respected international norms and contributed to regional stability.
While China claims historical rights over the majority of the South China Sea under its so-called ‘nine-dash line’, those claims were rejected in 2016 by an international tribunal ruling under UNCLOS. The UK does not take sides on sovereignty disputes but routinely reaffirms its support for international law and the right to innocent passage.
The presence of HMS Spey in both the Taiwan Strait and now the Spratly Islands illustrates the UK’s commitment to its “tilt” to the Indo-Pacific, as outlined in the 2021 Integrated Review and reiterated in subsequent defence statements. The Royal Navy’s patrol vessels HMS Spey and HMS Tamar have maintained an enduring regional presence since their deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2021.
This latest operation, undertaken jointly with Australia, is also emblematic of strengthening UK–Australia defence cooperation. Canberra has also faced increasing pressure from Beijing over its military activity in the South China Sea, including surveillance flights and naval patrols.
There has been no immediate report of interaction between HMS Spey and the People’s Liberation Army Navy during the Spratly patrol, though previous operations have seen British ships shadowed by Chinese vessels.
Honestly I would stay well clear of the Spratly Islands is a geopolitical stink pit and in reality trying to understand who rightfully owns what is flaming impossible.. everyone and his mother has tried to grab a spratly island or two..
in my view it’s not our beef and it does not come under freedom of navigation because it is not a strait..so not sure what we are really trying to prove.. this is sticking our noses into other peoples disputes.. I think if china started randomly cruising warships around and around islands in the south Atlantic we would get a bit pissed…let China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan argue the toss of who owns which island…
agree!
They sail warships through the Channel. We don’t object, either the rules based legal decisions governing laws of the sea are respected or they aren’t. Fact is China is claiming sea ways through which a substantial part of World trade passes, don’t think that is mere coincidence. It won’t be the end of its or other Countries claims either, the Gulf the Red Sea could all be closed by the same standards and as zi say if lawlessness prevails then Britain and France should ban warships of any Country they want from the Channel which could trigger war of course but hey ho it is our business so they should keep out of it. Maybe we should do the same with Rockall and tell them to keep their noses out of it too. I guess the Gulf of Mexico is owned by the Aus now it’s Gulf of America. Perhaps Australia might like to claim the waters that China decided to fire live rounds in intimidation mode, geez where does it all end, the big powerful bullies dictating who owns what? Inevitable war I would say if we take the attitude of keeping out of such matters. As for British possessions in the South Atlantic I suspect plenty of spy or warships get as close as warships in the South China Sea are from actual China but I doubt we would if they were in passage make a fuss when th Russian military park outside Irish Ports and warships follow our subs into the mouth of the Firth of Clyde before we search for a megaphone.
Worth reading this article once you piece the string back together. Some interesting conclusions at the bottom. Sets out the basis for a Chinese claim to SCS. Question…which China
www .airuniversity.af.edu /JIPA/Display/Article/2528218/historically-mine-the-potentially-legal-basis-for-chinas-sovereignty-claims-to/
We could send a River to the former Gulf of Mexico to prove right of navigation and also check who’s operating the Panama Canal
Is CSG going to go into any Chinese disputed waters?
That was my thought, haven’t heard anything in regard to that.