Britain's newest & biggest warship HMS Prince of Wales ready to defy furious China and sail through Taiwan Strait
THE ROYAL Navy's biggest warship stands ready to pass through the Taiwan Strait in defiance of China's threats to seize the island.
Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales set sail from Portsmouth today to join an eight month deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
Advertisement
9
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, sails from Portsmouth Naval Base
Credit: PA
9
HMS Prince of Wales as seen from HMS Queen Elizabeth as she prepares to deploy, 22 April 2025
Credit: SWNS
9
Commodore James Blackmore onboard HMS Prince of Wales
Credit: PA
9
Satellite image of three Chinese barges connected by bridges off the coast of Zhanjiang, China
Credit: AFP
9
9
The UK Carrier Strike Group's route through the region is not yet known.
But the Navy has not ruled out sailing through the Taiwan Strait as fears of a Chinese invasion grow.
This 110 mile-wide stretch of water separates the island nation of Taiwan from mainland China.
Taiwan has never been controlled by the Chinese Communist Party's regime in Beijing.
Advertisement
read more on china
But China's President Xi Jinping has repeatedly threatened to annex the island - and has refused to rule out using force to achieve it.
Commodore James Blackmore, leader of the strike group, told
'It's demonstrating our commitment to that and reassuring our partners and allies."
China stakes a claim to both Taiwan and much of the South China Sea, with Beijing asserting that the island nation is a breakaway province.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Latest
But these waters are considered to be "high seas" under international agreements, meaning vessels should be free to pass through.
A previous Carrier Strike Group deployment avoided the Taiwan Strait in 2021 to avoid provoking Beijing's wrath.
Incredible moment UK's most powerful warship blitzes swarm of drones in major show of force to Iran & Russia
While Taiwan is not a member state of the UN, it exists as a separate country from China with its own democracy, military and currency.
Commodore Blackmore added: "That choice of my routing will be taken by a much more senior government level.
Advertisement
'What I can reassure everybody is that I am ready to undertake whatever routing and mission I'm asked to do.'
China has ramped up military drills around Taiwan over the past few months in rehearsal of a potential invasion.
This has included exercises in March using what appeared to be landing barges for an amphibious assault.
The Taiwan Strait is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, so many analysts fear dire consequences for the world economy if China were to invade.
Advertisement
Several British government ministers have visited China since last year's general election in a bid to warm relations with Beijing.
But many MPs have called for the government to take a tougher line on China due to national security fears and human rights concerns.
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin visited China earlier this month to meet with the country's central military commission.
Why does China want Taiwan?
Bringing Taiwan under Beijing's control is one of Chinese President Xi Jinping's top foreign policy priorities.
Following the communist victory in the Chinese civil war, nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan, where he would rule for several decades.
But despite its official name of the Republic of China, Taiwan has never been part of the Beijing-based People's Republic of China that controls the mainland.
The People's Republic views Taiwan as a breakaway province that will one day be reunited with the mainland.
But most Taiwanese do not wish to be absorbed into China.
Taiwan has a distinct national identity, with its own democratic government and institutions.
Most UN member states do not formally recognise Taiwan as a country, in part due to intense pressure from Beijing.
Xi Jinping has refused to rule out the use of force to bring the island under China's control.
More than 2,000 British military personnel will take part in the strike group deployment.
Advertisement
They will work alongside other countries including
Norway, Canada and France
.
"We are one of the few nations that can convene so many international partners, I think that in itself is a demonstration of stepping up,' Commodore Blackmore said.
'Of the 13 nations deploying with me, nine are NATO allies, the other four are NATO partners.
'I think that sends a very, very strong message about our capability and intent and that actually we are willing to take a lead where required as the leading European nation within NATO and our ability to stand not only alongside America, but also where required to step in for the US with the capability.'
Advertisement
The 65,000-tonne HMS Prince of Wales is one of the Navy's largest vessels and can hold up to 1,600 military personnel.
The £3bn aircraft carrier was formally commissioned in December 2019.
9
HMS Prince of Wales as seen from HMS Queen Elizabeth as she prepares to deploy
Credit: SWNS
9
HMS Prince of Wales leaves Portsmouth today
Credit: SWNS
Advertisement
9
Crowds wave off the Royal Navy aircraft carrier
Credit: PA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
TV doctor Hilary Jones says he would help terminally ill to die if law changed
©Press Association Today at 19:01 TV doctor Hilary Jones has described assisted dying for the terminally ill as 'kind and compassionate', adding that he would help a patient to end their life if the law was changed. The GP, often seen on ITV's Good Morning Britain and the Lorraine show, said medicine will go 'back to the Dark Ages' if proposed legislation being considered at Westminster is voted down. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will return to the House of Commons for debate on Friday, with MPs expected to consider further amendments. If I know the patient, I know what their wishes are, I see them suffering, and there's nothing more I can do to help their suffering then, absolutely, I would hold their hand and help them achieve what they want to achieve Dr Hilary Jones In its current form the Bill, which applies only to England and Wales, would mean terminally ill adults with only six months left to live could apply for assistance to end their lives, with approval needed from two doctors and the expert panel. Last month, MPs approved a change in the Bill to ensure no medics would be obliged to take part in assisted dying. Doctors already had an opt-out but the new clause extends that to anyone, including pharmacists and social care workers. Dr Jones, in an interview with the PA news agency, said medics are 'looking over their shoulders because of the legal repercussions of the law' as it stands. Encouraging or assisting suicide is currently against the law in England and Wales, with a maximum jail sentence of 14 years. Asked about the significance if the law does change, Dr Jones told PA: 'It will relieve healthcare professionals who deal with terminal illness. 'There are wonderful people who are caring and compassionate, who just live in fear of their actions being misinterpreted, of being accused of wrongdoing, and because of that fear, people at the end of life are often undertreated. 'People are looking over their shoulder because of the medications they're using or the doses they're using, it means that patients aren't getting the best palliative care that they could have. ADVERTISEMENT 'And I think the Bill, if it passes, will alleviate a great deal of that, and put people's minds at rest that they're not going to suffer unnecessarily at the end of life.' Ahead of last month's Commons debate on the Bill, two royal medical colleges raised concerns over the proposed legislation. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said it believes there are 'concerning deficiencies', while the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) said it has 'serious concerns' and cannot support the Bill. Dr Jones, who has been practising medicine for more than 45 years and spent time working on cancer wards during his career, said he has 'always supported it (assisted dying)'. He added: 'I've always felt it is the most humane, kind and compassionate thing that relatives and doctors can provide, knowing that that person's wishes are respected and known, that there is full mental capacity and that they're surrounded by love. 'And for me, it's always been very clear.' Asked if, were the law to change, he would be content to help someone who had chosen assisted dying at the end of their life, he said: 'Absolutely, if I know the patient, I know what their wishes are, I see them suffering, and there's nothing more I can do to help their suffering then, absolutely, I would hold their hand and help them achieve what they want to achieve.' Some of the Bill's opponents have urged MPs to focus on improving end-of-life care rather than legislating for assisted dying. But Dr Jones said his mother, who was a nurse and died 'suffering unnecessarily' despite the 'best possible palliative care' would be 'proud of me speaking on this subject now, in the way I am'. The bottom line is that I think it's the patient's individual choice. I think we should respect the right of the individual to choose what they want. This is not a mandatory thing. This is not being imposed on anybody Dr Hilary Jones He told of his respect for people's 'religious beliefs, cultural beliefs and personal feelings' in being opposed to assisted dying but insisted it should be an area of choice. He said: 'The bottom line is that I think it's the patient's individual choice. I think we should respect the right of the individual to choose what they want. 'This is not a mandatory thing. This is not being imposed on anybody. 'And I think people should have the individual right to make a decision about how they end their life if they've got a terminal illness where there's no prospect of cure and they're suffering and they fear an undignified death.' Asked about the prospect of the Bill being voted down by MPs, Dr Jones said: 'We would be back to square one, back to the Dark Ages, in my opinion, medically, and that would be a shame. 'I don't think we would be advancing medicine if the Bill is not passed.' Our Duty Of Care, a group of healthcare professionals campaigning against a change in the law, said the question must be whether someone is making a 'true choice' if they apply for assisted dying. Dr Gillian Wright, a spokesperson for the group, said: 'If someone has not had access to palliative care, psychological support or social care, then are they making a true choice?' 'At a time when the NHS is on its knees, when palliative are social care are struggling and our amazing hospices are having to close beds and cut services because of lack of money, as someone who has cared for people at the end of life, I would urge MPs to vote against this Bill but instead invest in excellent specialist palliative care, social care and psychological support.'
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
UK's ‘outrageous' migrant hotel bill revealed & it takes every penny in tax from all people in city as big as MANCHESTER
BRITAIN'S £4.7billion annual bill to keep migrants in hotels and look after them takes every penny of tax from 582,000 workers. The shocking new statistic is equivalent to every grafter in Manchester stumping up for asylum seekers through their pay packet. Advertisement 4 Britain's £4.7billion annual bill to keep migrants in hotels and look after them takes every penny of tax from 582,000 workers 4 The shocking new statistic is equivalent to every grafter in Manchester stumping up for asylum seekers through their pay packet Credit: Getty 4 Jamie Jenkins, who did the research, said: 'This isn't just unsustainable. It's outrageous' Credit: PA Jamie Jenkins, who did the research, said: 'This isn't just unsustainable. It's outrageous. "A government that borrows billions each year, can't control borders, and taxes its citizens to pay for hotel rooms and housing for people who've just arrived is not working for the British public. 'It's time for a system that protects the people who pay in. That rewards contribution. That puts citizens first." Latest figures show there were 32,345 asylum seekers staying in up to 220 hotel. Advertisement Read More on UK News It costs £41,000 a year to house each, up from £17,000 in 2020. Ex-Office for National Statistics analyst Mr Jenkins found the average UK salary was £38,224. Each worker pays income tax and National Insurance contributions of £8,081. So 582,000's entire tax bills go on housing migrants — equal to the working population of Manchester. And it is significantly larger than the employed populations of Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The total is also higher than the tax contributions of every UK mechanic and HGV driver combined. A total £4.7billion went on asylum support in 2023-24 — £3.1billion on accomodation. 13 migrants jumped from the back of a lorry at a Sainsbury's distribution centre in South East London The rest went on grants to local authorities, running sites like the disused Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, plus £49-a-week subsistence allowance. The £4.7billion total was up from 2022-23's £3.6bn. Advertisement Nearly French cops, given £480million of UK taxpayer cash, are failing to intercept them. 4 Nearly 15,000 people have crossed to Dover in 2025, up 42 per cent on this time year Credit: AFP
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Irvine Welsh on his Trainspotting sequel: ‘It is that time of life when they are getting serious about romance. It is an interesting time in the lives of men'
He may now be in his mid-sixties, but writer Irvine Welsh is still an enfant terrible. In 2020, he tweeted of Donald Trump: 'Has that tedious fat sex pest f**ked off yet?' At Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee celebrations in June 2020, he told Keir Starmer to 'get f**ked, you ridiculous clown', when the Labour Party leader said it was the 'patriotic duty' of British people to 'revel' in her majesty's reign. And when Priti Patel, who was then UK home secretary, announced that Britain had extended pub opening hours to let them enjoy themselves over the Jubilee weekend, Welsh was suitably in a mood not to revel.
