Royal Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan and South Korea amid growing tension between China and Taiwan

The HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships from the United Kingdom through Asian waters on port visits to Japan and South Korea on its maiden deployment, the UK embassy in Tokyo says.

The high-profile visits come as concerns grow in Japan over the threat posed by China to Taiwan.

China’s military has becoming increasingly active in the Taiwan Straight, drawing criticism from many Western nations.

The latest visit to Japan by UK forces follows earlier deployments of warships, jet…