Sir Keir Starmer will ramp up its Royal Navy patrols in the Indo-Pacific to avoid turning a “blind eye” to China’s aggression.
The Prime Minister made the announcement on the final day of his visit to Samoa for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
His intervention comes after a foreign policy review last year identified China as an “epoch-defining challenge”.
Sir Keir said: “My visit to the Pacific this week has only reinforced how important this part of the world is to the United Kingdom’s prosperity and security, and I know across business, trade and defence, we play a vital role in supporting the region too.
“As responsible international players, we cannot turn a blind eye to the challenges faced by our friends and partners on the other side of the world, so my message today is clear: this is just the beginning of our commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
“Combining expertise, local knowledge and investment, I truly believe we can create unique opportunities for people both in the Pacific and at home, and in doing so, we play our part in ensuring a safer, fairer world.”
Sir Keir made the decision after China met with Russia, India and South Africa this week while Commonwealth countries gathered in Samoa’s capital Apia.
Meanwhile the Aukus pact, signed in 2021 between the UK, US And Australia, also formed part of a joint effort to counter Chinese military power in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Royal Navy already has two offshore patrol vessels, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, permanently based in the Indo-Pacific.
Conducting joint exercises with allies including India and Japan, the ships have been patrolling the region since 2021.
HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the UK’s two aircraft carriers, also completed a tour of the Indo-Pacific in 2021 as part of western efforts to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan.
Discussions were being held about permanently stationing at least one Type-31 frigate in the Indo-Pacific — a move that would reverse five decades of declining British military power east of Suez.
The Aukus pact, signed in 2021 between the UK, US And Australia, also formed part of a joint effort to counter Chinese military power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile the Royal Navy has run its first ever counter illegal fishing patrols in the Pacific, mounted jointly with New Zealand and Fiji.
The Navy will now extend this offer to other Pacific Island Countries to support the sovereignty of small island states and help them to protect vital maritime routes and maritime economies that are the lifeblood of the region.
