Overview

• The Royal Navy’s HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait on June 18 under international law, marking Britain’s first transit since 2021.
• Japan’s destroyer JS Takanami completed a 10-hour passage on June 12, its third known Taiwan Strait transit in a year, tracked closely by the PLA.
• Taiwan’s defence ministry detected more than 70 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around the island in the 24 hours to June 20.
• China’s Eastern Theatre Command accused Britain of “public hyping” the Spey transit and said its forces shadowed the ship on high alert.
• President Lai Ching-te ordered stepped-up monitoring and intelligence operations in response to the intensifying PLA activities.