China's military condemned on Friday the sailing of a British ship through the Taiwan Strait, saying that it was a deliberate effort to "cause troubles", and undermined the peace and stability in this region.

The Royal Navy of Britain said that the patrol ship HMS Spey carried out a routine navigation in the narrow waterway as part of a planned deployment. This was done in compliance with international law.

China, which considers Taiwan to be its own territory, views the Strait as Chinese waters. Taiwan, the United States, and many of their allies claim it's an international waterway.

The Eastern Theatre Command, a division of China's People's Liberation Army, said that the Wednesday sailing was "public hyping", and its forces had followed and monitored Spey.

In a press release, it stated that "the British side's comments distort legal principle and mislead public; their actions intentionally cause trouble and disruptions and undermine peace and stability in Taiwan Strait."

"Troops on the theater are always alert and will counter any threats or provocations."

Taiwan's Government welcomed the sailing.

The foreign ministry welcomed and affirmed the British side for taking action to defend freedom of navigation through the Taiwan Strait. This shows that Britain is firmly committed to the view that the Taiwan Strait belongs in international waters.

The last time that a British warship passed through the strait in 2021 was when HMS Richmond, a British ship deployed in the East China Sea on its way to Vietnam, sailed past. The Chinese military warned the ship away at that time.

This latest passage is at a moment when Britain and China seek to mend their relationship. Prime Minister Keir starmer will be visiting Beijing later this month, the first visit by a British leader to China since 2018.

The U.S. Navy sails through the strait about once every two weeks, sometimes with allied nations. (Reporting and editing by Farah master and the Beijing Newsroom)

(source: Reuters)