BEIJING — China has condemned the passage of British warship HMS Spey through the Taiwan Strait, calling it a deliberate provocation aimed at stirring trouble. The Chinese military claimed the move disrupts regional peace and said its forces tracked and monitored the vessel.

The UK Navy described the transit as a routine operation under international law. While China insists the strait is its territory, the UK, Taiwan, the US, and allies maintain it is international waters.

Taiwan welcomed the move, calling it a show of support for freedom of navigation. President Lai Ching-te has ordered increased surveillance due to rising Chinese military activity, with 50 Chinese aircraft detected near the island recently.

Beijing continues to assert Taiwan is part of China and accused Taiwan’s ruling party of exploiting the situation. The UK last sent a warship through the strait in 2021. The move comes as London and Beijing seek to improve strained relations, with a visit from UK PM Keir Starmer expected later this year.