Britain’s Carriers Will 'Show Force in South China Sea'

One of the first exercises for Britain’s two aircraft carriers will be a show of force in the South China Sea region.

During an interview with The Australian, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the two new "colossal" carriers will be sent on a “freedom of navigation operation” in the waters of Korea and Japan.

He told the paper: "To vindicate our belief in the rules-based international system and in the freedom of navigation through those waterways which are absolutely vital for world trade."

"The increase in our defence budgets, that Michael Fallon has rightly alluded to, do allow for the UK to step up in this region,” he told reporters.

The Foreign Secretary is attending the annual meeting of UK and Australian Foreign and Defence Ministers.

China claims most of the sea but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told Reuters: "We hope to send a warship to the region next year.

“We have not finalised exactly where that deployment will take place but we won't be constrained by China from sailing through the South China Sea.

"We have the right of freedom of navigation and we will exercise it."

North Korea and China were discussed at length during the meeting of the two nations' foreign and defence ministers in Sydney.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said peace, stability and security in the region is under strain:

"We spoke about the challenges including in the South China Sea and we had a long discussion about the Pacific and the opportunities for deeper British engagement in our part of the world."

Before the meeting, Mr Johnson said: “I look forward to strengthening even further our partnerships on global challenges and opportunities, such as North Korea, the fight against extremism and terror, modern slavery and trade.”

Late last year, a squadron of RAF Typhoons were sent to conduct joint air drills with Japan over the East and South China seas.