The British amphibious vessel HMS Albion became involved in a minor confrontation with a Chinese frigate and two PLAN helicopters near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea late last month.
China views all international activity in the South China Sea as an infringement of its sovereignty, as demonstrated by its sharp reaction to the British naval foray.
Two Chinese frigates tailed the Japanese helicopter carrier Kaga as it navigated the South China Sea last week.
In contrast, the US didn't object to Chinese navy ships sailing within 12 nautical miles of the Aleutian Islands off Alaska, calling it a "legal transit".
