USS George HW Bush arrived in the Solent yesterday at the start of a two-week training exercise for UK and US forces South West News ServiceBritain is drawing up plans to send a warship to the South China Sea in a move that is likely to anger the Beijing government and raise tensions at a delicate moment. Sir Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, confirmed yesterday that the vessel would be deployed next year and told China that she would expect free passage in the disputed waters. The Chinese have faced international condemnation for building islands and military facilities in an area where Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have territorial claims. Sir Michael, visiting Sydney for talks with his Australian counterpart, said: “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…

Source: The Times July 27, 2017 23:58 UTC