The HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier formation passed through the Bashi Channel for the first time on August 2 and traveled along the eastern coast of Taiwan to the north to Japan. During the period, China sent warships to follow along with the Taiwan Navy warships, and the Taiwan navy monitored the whole process, according to Taiwan’s China Times News Website on August 2.
According to the report, the fighter plane stationed at the Zhihang base in Taitung took off for surveillance in the morning, and returned to the base two hours later. Taiwan’s defense department declared that it “closely masters the sea and air dynamics” around Taiwan.
It is reported that the HMS Queen Elizabeth may call in Japan in September. The British media have previously revealed that in order to avoid irritating mainland China, the HMS Queen Elizabeth will not pass through the Taiwan Strait.
According to online photos, the Shandong fleet left the home port of Sanya, accompanied by two Type 055 destroyers.
A satellite image on July 30 revealed positions of the Shandong ship and HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, and the distance between the two was only 580 nautical miles.
Regarding the entry of the British aircraft carrier strike group into the South China Sea, some analysts said that from the latest official news analysis, China has been ready. For three days from July 26th to 29th, the PLA had at least four live firing drills in the South China Sea that have been made public, the density of which is unprecedented.
Before the departure of the British aircraft carrier, Tony Radakin, the British First Secretary of the Sea, said that this voyage would “show the new strength of the British navy” to China.
In addition to the UK, the US has also made new moves in the South China Sea. Its 7th Fleet’s littoral combat ships and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers from task forces 71, 75 and 76 have formed a mixed group, which is likely to conduct joint military exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth in South China Sea in the future.
