Fear of the Houthi rebels but not of the Chinese Navy! A British ship commander chose to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, and had previously entered the Nansha Islands to provoke!
In November 2025, the eight-month "Princess of Wales" aircraft carrier strike group deployment of the Royal Navy in the Indo-Pacific was nearing its end. However, a thought-provoking choice emerged during the return journey: the accompanying fleet supply ship "Chuntide" did not follow the main fleet through the Red Sea - Bab el Mandeb Strait, but instead took a separate route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa back to its home country.
This decision was not due to route optimization or logistics scheduling, but clearly out of safety concerns. According to authoritative defense media such as the U.S. Naval Institute News, "Chuntide" lacked sufficient self-defense capabilities and feared an attack by the Houthi rebels in Yemen in the Bab el Mandeb Strait, so it ultimately chose an alternative route that added thousands of nautical miles, took longer, and was more costly.
Notably, just a few months ago, the same "Chuntide" had boldly entered the waters near the Nansha Islands to carry out so-called "freedom of navigation operations." The official website of the Royal Navy had issued a statement saying that the ship had sailed within 12 nautical miles of islands and reefs such as Ren'ai Reef and Mischief Reef in the Nansha Islands in May 2025.
Facing the Houthi rebels, who are poorly equipped but actively engaged in combat, the UK chose to avoid them; while facing the Chinese Navy, which has a complete maritime and air defense system and is world-class, the UK actively entered disputed waters, and later claimed "successful deterrence." This strategic choice reflects that China is too kind-hearted.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848025657922628/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.