SHANGHAI – China has given a stern warning to the Britain over the SouthChina Sea encounter.
China warned Britain ties were at risk unless it took steps to “rectify”the situation, after a British warship sailed close to South China Seaislands claimed by China, while a major newspaper said sealing a free tradedeal could now be harder.
China was infuriated by the HMS Albion, a 22,000-ton amphibious warship,sailing near the Paracel Islands last month, calling it a “provocation”.The Paracels are occupied entirely by China but also claimed by Vietnam andTaiwan.
China and Britain, which have talked of a “golden era” of relations, agreedlast month to look at the possibility of reaching a “top notch” post-Brexitfree trade deal that promises an important political win for theconservative government.
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But the Royal Navy’s mission in the South China Sea, one of China’s mostsensitive issues, risks undermining the relationship.
“Britain’s actions were wrong,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman HuaChunying told a daily news briefing.
