China today accused Britain of 'harbouring evil intentions' after a Royal Navy frigate made a rare voyage through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
Beijing claims it 'followed and warned' HMS Richmond as it sailed through the 110-mile wide passage on its way to Vietnam.
While US warships make an almost monthly voyage through the Strait, its allies have been more reluctant to follow suit.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has stepped up military and political pressure to try and force the democratically-ruled island to accept Chinese sovereignty.
Tensions in the South China Sea have been ratcheted further by a new security pact between Australia, the UK and the US, which many view as part of a strategy to counter Chinese aggression in the region.
Beijing claimed today it 'followed and warned' HMS Richmond (pictured in Portsmouth) as it sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The waters are international but China claims them as its own
On Monday, the official Twitter account for HMS Richmond, posted a picture of the boat navigating the Strait. It said: 'After a busy period working with partners and allies in the East China Sea, we are now en route through the Taiwan Strait to visit #Vietnam and the Vietnam People's Navy. #CSG21 International by design.'
Beijing claims it 'followed and warned' HMS Richmond as it sailed through the 110-mile wide passage on its way to Vietnam.
Last week, 19 Chinese warplanes stormed into Taiwanese airspace in an apparent show of strength amid the bitter war of words from Beijing over the Aukus pact.
Fighter jets were scrambled to turn the aircraft back while radio warnings were also broadcast and missile defence systems activated to monitor the situation.
As well as Taiwan, China lays claims to several smaller islands in the South China Sea, pitting itself against smaller neighbours like the Philippines and Vietnam, which
