HMS Richmond escorts Chinese naval task group through the English Channel
A task group of Chinese warships has been shadowed through the English Channel by a Royal Navy frigate.
HMS Richmond kept a close eye on the Chinese naval task group as it passed the UK for the second time in three weeks.
The Plymouth-based ship monitored the Chinese vessels as they headed home from St Petersburg after taking part in Russian Navy Days.
HMS Richmond, working with her Nato allies, watched the Jiaozuo, a 7,500-tonne destroyer, and the Honghu, a 23,400-tonne supply ship, as they made the return trip from Russia.
This saw them travel through the North Sea and into the Channel, travelling through UK waters under routine right of passage.
Richmond took over from French navy dispatch boat Commandant Blaison, which maintained contact with the Chinese duo past the French coastline.
Belgian navy patrol ship Pollux continued to follow Jiaozuo and Honghu once they reached the North Sea.
HMS Richmond used her helicopter Brigand, from 814 Naval Air Squadron at Cornwall, as well as cutting-edge sensors and simple visual contact to maintain a constant eye on the two Chinese vessels.
Commander Richard Kemp, HMS Richmond's Commanding Officer, said monitoring foreign vessels in UK waters is "routine business for the Royal Navy".
"By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy demonstrates our commitment to the Nato alliance and in maintaining maritime security which is crucial to our national interests," he said.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the escorts were a "clear demonstration of how the Royal Navy continues to protect the sovereignty of UK waters".
"Working closely with our allies to support Euro-Atlantic security is a top priority for this government," he said.
"I thank the crew of HMS Richmond for conducting a safe and professional transit and all they do in keeping our nation secure at home and strong abroad."
While it is uncommon for Chinese navy ships to travel through the English Channel, it is not the first time Royal Navy ships have shadowed their Chinese counterparts as they travel to Russia for its annual naval gathering.
HMS St Albans and Westminster were called upon to monitor the Chinese destroyer Xian back in 2019.
The Royal Navy routinely monitors UK waters and adjacent seas, and as part of activity with Nato allies the presence of foreign naval vessels is monitored as they transit through or adjacent to the UK Maritime Area.
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