British warship to sail through South China Sea

Passage through the disputed waters is likely to anger Beijing

HMS Sutherland will sail through the disputed South China Sea next month
(Image credit: 2004 Getty Images)

A British warship is set to sail through the disputed South China Sea on its way home from Australia, in a move designed to assert freedom of navigation rights through the region.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson made the announcement following a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra, telling local media that the HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would make the trip next month.

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