South China Sea: UK could send aircraft carrier to back Australian vessels
(The Guardian China)

Australian and British ministers hold talks amid rising tension over Beijing´s militarisation in disputed watersAustralia and the UK are discussing plans for the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to be sent to the Pacific amid tensions over China´s militarisation in the South China Sea.The Australian defence minister, Marise Payne, and the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, have discussed joint naval operations in the Pacific region with the UK defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, during their visit this week. Related: Inside HMS Queen Elizabeth - in pictures Control of the South China Sea is one of the most contentious and explosive diplomatic issues in East Asia. For centuries, various regional powers have laid claim to the sea, which is rich in fisheries and serves as a shipping lane for more than half of the world´s oil tanker traffic. Related: Britain`s BAE Systems wins contract to build Australian warships Continue reading...