London sends warship to South China Sea: 'Our right'

The waters disputed by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. The HMS Sutherland will arrive in Australia and cross them on the way back. London: "Vigilance to any form of malign intent from China". There are vast deposits of oil, gas in the ocean and trade routes worth 5 trillion US dollars annually.

Sydney (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A British warship will sail from Australia next month and cross the South China Sea, to assert the rights to freedom of navigation in the waters at the center of an international dispute that sees China as a protagonist according to Gavin Williamson, UK Secretary of Defense, affirms today.

Taking advantage of the ambiguity of international law, Beijing claims a substantial slice of the sea. It includes the Spratly and the Paracels, islands disputed by Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia (almost 85% of the territories). To ensure the control of the important sea routes that cross these waters, the Chinese government has started the construction of a series of artificial islands, with military installations and lighthouses for navigation.

Williamson says the HMS Sutherland (photo), an anti-submarine frigate, will arrive in Australia later this week. "It will sail through the South China Sea (on the way back) and make it clear that our navy has the right to do it," says the secretary at the end of a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra (Australia). He does not clarify whether the frigate will sail within 12 nautical miles from disputed territory or an artificial island built by the Chinese, like US ships, but reports: "The United Kingdom firmly supports the US approach to navigation".

In January, Beijing said it had sent a warship to expel an American destroyer that had "violated" its sovereignty. According to Williamson, it is important that US allies such as Britain and Australia "affirm their values" in the South China Sea. It is believed to hold vast deposits of oil and gas and is traversed by trade routes worth 5 trillion US dollars annually.

Following the publication of new satellite images that show the deployment of radar and other equipment, in December China defended and defined its construction on the disputed islands, also claimed by its Southeast Asia neighbors, as “normal". Williamson reiterates the need to watch over "any form of malicious intent" in Beijing, which seeks to become a global superpower. "Australia and Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we should not be blind to Chinese ambitions and we must defend our national security interests," he said.