Britain accused of ‘deliberately provoking’ China by sailing navy warship close to disputed South China Sea islands
Heavily armed HMS Albion sparked outrage in Beijing when it passed the disputed Paracel Islands on its way to Vietnam last week
CHINA has accused Britain of "provocation" after a 22,000-tonne Royal Navy warship sailed past a set of disputed islands in the South China Sea.
Heavily armed HMS Albion sparked outrage in Beijing when it passed the disputed Paracel Islands on its way to Vietnam last week.
The former Navy flagship - designed to serve at the front of any invasion force - was on her way to Ho Chi Minh City, where she docked on Monday after a deployment in Japan.
China's Foreign Ministry accused the hulking warship of entering Chinese territorial waters without permission - and accused Britain of infringing on "China's sovereignty".
A spokesman blasted: "The relevant actions by the British ship violated Chinese law and relevant international law, and infringed on China's sovereignty.
"China strongly opposes this and has lodged stern representations with the British side to express strong dissatisfaction.
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"China strongly urges the British side to immediately stop such provocative actions, to avoid harming the broader picture of bilateral relations and regional peace and stability," it said.
"China will continue to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security."
A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: "HMS Albion exercised her rights for freedom of navigation in full compliance with international law and norms."
The Paracel islands are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
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