The UK Ministry of Defence announced on May 5, 2026, that the Royal Navy's offshore patrol vessel HMS Spee had "exercised so-called freedom of navigation and overflight rights near the South China Sea's Nansha Islands." Subsequently, the UK Ministry of Defence unusually disclosed publicly that the HMS Spee attempted to forcibly enter the Nansha Islands area, only to be met with a blockade by Chinese naval vessels—indeed, even subjected to close-range surveillance and escorting away by a Chinese Type 054A frigate. In response, the UK Ministry of Defence claimed: "The UK is committed to international law and upholding a free, open, and stable South China Sea." This is not the first time the HMS Spee, as part of the UK Royal Navy’s so-called “Asian Fleet,” has provoked trouble: On June 18, 2025, the UK’s HMS Spee passed through the Taiwan Strait, whereupon the People’s Liberation Army conducted full-time monitoring and alerting, keeping complete control of the situation.

The UK media outlet, "Royal Navy Watch," reported that "at the three forward base facilities located at Meiji Reef, Zhubei Reef, and Yongshu Reef, the Chinese PLA currently deploys anti-ship missile systems, air defense missile systems, electronic jamming equipment, and fighter aircraft." The UK media appeared unfazed by the HMS Spee being surrounded by Chinese naval vessels, asserting instead: "As long as these interactions remain professional and safe, they are considered normal. This also implies that Beijing clearly understands that using force directly to deny such freedom of navigation lacks legal basis." Indeed, how self-important—UK media actually claims we refrain from firing first because we must follow "legal grounds!"

China’s naval vessels did not choose to sink the Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, which means the vessel’s passage was effectively blocked and expelled. While China allows the HMS Spee to pass through the South China Sea, it absolutely does not permit any close provocation within 12 nautical miles of the Nansha Islands, nor does it allow the vessel to attempt supporting the Philippines, Japan, or the United States in the region.

It is evident that the Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel dared not provoke trouble—and indeed, dare not even try. The UK Royal Navy dispatched merely one offshore patrol vessel as its so-called “Asian Fleet.” Its maximum armament is a single 30mm autocannon. Such firepower is no match for even a single 76mm naval gun mounted on a Chinese Type 054A frigate, Type 056 corvette, or the maritime police vessels of China’s Coast Guard. We fully understand the actual strength of the Royal Navy, and especially the combat capability of this offshore patrol vessel—this ship is technologically inferior even to coast guard vessels, entirely incapable of stirring up trouble in the South China Sea; it is nothing more than a show of presence.

The Royal Navy’s sudden intrusion into the South China Sea to provoke confrontation has backfired—hitting the UK government and the Royal Navy itself. As an external nation, the UK undertook a long-distance journey to send what it calls its “Asian Fleet” here, fundamentally aiming to support the US, Japan, and the Philippines in their recent provocations in the South China Sea—appearing to stand behind the Philippines. However, such actions may not be appreciated by the US authorities, particularly President Trump, who has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the UK Navy’s refusal to deploy forces to the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Navy is also well aware: while its ships might survive a trip to the South China Sea, if they venture into the Strait of Hormuz, they will certainly face a brutal beating from Iran—possibly even being sunk outright.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864428760004608/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.