British navy ‘shows global ambitions’ with aircraft carrier’s South China Sea mission
- HMS Queen Elizabeth and its strike group venture into contested waters in show of support for US efforts to contain China, analyst says
- But the forces have been careful to not make one move that would antagonise Beijing
The warships left Britain two months ago and are on a 42,000km (26,000-mile) mission that will continue until the end of the year.
Beijing-based military expert Zhou Chenming said the mission had left a gap in defences in Europe where US-led Nato forces were needed to counter the Russian military.
“The strike group’s journey from Europe to Asia can be seen as a political show. It should stay home to cope with the Russian navy instead,” Zhou said.
However, Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said London had used the maiden voyage of its strike group to try to rebuild its credibility and highlight its commitment to joining France, Germany and the Netherlands in supporting the US’ freedom of navigation efforts and operations in the South China Sea.
The US and China have been at odds in the contested waterway, where Beijing has territorial disputes with a number of neighbours, including Vietnam and the Philippines.
“The high-profile visits and joint naval drills along its journey from home to the contested South China Sea is [a sign of] the Royal Navy’s resurgence after decades of contraction. It’s good training for the British navy,” Wong said.