FONOP

So, The British Are Coming - to the South China Sea?

Interesting. Did not know that.

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British name enormous carrier strike group heading for the Indo-Pacific

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/04/26/british-name-enormous-carrier-strike-group-heading-for-the-indo-pacific/

LONDON – The largest fleet of Royal Navy warships to deploy internationally since the 1982 Falklands War is heading to the Indo-Pacific region next month as the British government seeks to raise its presence in the Far East.

The British have yet to decide whether the carrier strike group will be taking the long route to Japan by avoiding the Taiwan Strait in order to prevent antagonizing Beijing.

Media speculation recently said warships will go through the South China Sea to the east of the island.
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For a year leading up to it I was very alarmed but the news recently said it is just maintaining trade relations, training with allies, and a Freedom of Navigation operation. But if they are getting cold feet about the South China Sea, I will be both very relieved and slightly concerned why.

About a year ago I was wildly guessing if they would secretly plan to pickup all the Hong Kong protesters. But it seems clear that’s not the case.