Two Chinese warships have recently navigated through UK waters, closely monitored by the Royal Navy, marking a rare occurrence of such scrutiny. The Royal Navy revealed that HMS Richmond, a British frigate, observed the Chinese Navy task group during their passage to and from Russia over a span of three weeks.
This situation was notable due to the infrequency of such monitoring of Chinese vessels compared to the more routine tracking of Russian ships.
The Royal Navy’s operation involved HMS Richmond keeping a “close watch” on two Chinese ships: the Jiaozuo, a 7,500-tonne destroyer, and the Honghu, a 23,400-tonne supply ship. This operation included monitoring the ships as they traveled through the North Sea and into the Channel.
The presence of HMS Richmond was part of a broader effort to ensure the security of UK waters and maintain vigilance over foreign naval movements.
Chinese Warships Monitored by Royal Navy in UK Waters During Passage to Russian Navy Day Celebrations
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasized that these escorts reflect the Royal Navy’s commitment to protecting UK sovereignty and supporting Euro-Atlantic security. Pollard praised HMS Richmond’s crew for their professionalism and safe conduct during the operation, underlining the importance of maintaining security at home and bolstering strength abroad.
The Chinese warships’ journey involved their participation in the Russian Navy Day celebrations in St Petersburg at the end of July. They traveled through UK waters on their way to the event and then returned a few weeks later. The specific date of their return was not detailed in the Royal Navy’s statement, but this return trip was noted as another instance of their transit through British waters.
It is relatively uncommon for Chinese naval vessels to pass through UK waters under British surveillance. The last known occurrence of such an event was in 2019 when Chinese ships made a similar voyage to attend the same Russian naval event. This pattern indicates that while monitoring of Russian ships is a regular practice, Chinese naval movements through UK waters are less frequently observed in such detail.
