• China labels UK's HMS Spey transit through Taiwan Strait as intentional provocation.
• The British Royal Navy maintains the passage was lawful and routine.
• Taiwan's government welcomes the British warship's sailing as a support for freedom of navigation.
• Heightened military tensions between China and Taiwan lead to increased alerts on both sides.
• China vows to counter perceived threats and remains on high alert with military exercises.

China has sharply criticized the passage of the British Royal Navy's HMS Spey through the Taiwan Strait, calling it an "intentional provocation" that "undermines peace and stability" in the area. The transit marks the first time in four years that a British warship has navigated these contested waters, leading to a strong response from the Chinese military, which stated that it had monitored the ship's journey closely. Senior Colonel Liu Runke of the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command emphasized that such actions disrupt the situation across the Taiwan Strait, according to BBC and AA.

The British Office in Taipei confirmed the sailing was part of a planned operational deployment and was in full accordance with international law, asserting the UK's commitment to freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. In response, Taiwan's foreign ministry praised this transit as affirming its stance on maintaining the strait as an international waterway. The UK's Defence Minister noted that this act showcases Britain's resolve in supporting regional allies and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific, according to Reuters and Newsweek.

As tensions escalated, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te ordered enhanced monitoring of Chinese military activities around the island, indicating that defense and security units would step up intelligence efforts in light of increased military drills by China. This response comes amid a backdrop of heightened military tension, including a recent increase in Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan, which has alarmed both the island and its allies, according to BBC, Reuters, and Newsweek.

China’s military remains on high alert, with the Eastern Theater Command declaring that it will "resolutely counter" any perceived threats following the HMS Spey's passage. The Chinese government argues against claims of its sovereignty over Taiwan and has continuously reiterated that it views the island as part of its territory. The UK, on the other hand, has expressed intentions to further engage with allied countries in the region, promising to uphold international maritime laws and resisting any aggressive posturing from Beijing, as reported by AA and Reuters.