Two Chinese warships have travelled through UK waters closely watched by a British frigate in a rare transit, the Royal Navy has revealed.

HMS Richmond kept a “close watch” on the Chinese Navy task group as it passed the UK twice in three weeks, travelling to and from Russia.

Monitoring foreign warships is a routine operation for the navy but it is far more common for the Ministry of Defence to publicise the tracking of Russian ships rather than vessels deployed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy).

Armed Forces minister Luke Pollard said: “These escorts are a clear demonstration of how the Royal Navy continues to protect the sovereignty of UK waters.

“Working closely with our allies to support Euro-Atlantic security is a top priority for this government.

“I thank the crew of HMS Richmond for conducting a safe and professional transit and all they do in keeping our nation secure at home and strong abroad.”

The British warship monitored China’s Jiaozuo, a 7,500-tonne destroyer, and Honghu, a 23,400-tonne supply ship, as they made their journey back and forth through the North Sea and into the Channel.

A French warship and a patrol ship from the Belgian navy also shared the task of watching the Chinese vessels.

HMS Richmond’s commanding officer, Commander Richard Kemp, said: “By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy demonstrates our commitment to the NATO alliance and in maintaining maritime security which is crucial to our national interests.”

Read more from Sky News:
Is this the end of the pub?
Injuries after ‘crowd surge’ at music festival
Passenger plane crashes in Brazil

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The two Chinese ships initially passed through UK waters on the way to St Petersburg to take part in an annual event called Russian Navy Day at the end of July.

They then returned a couple of weeks later. The date of the return journey was not clear from the Royal Navy statement, released on Saturday.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

The navy said it is not common for Chinese ships to transit through UK waters under the eye of the British.

The last time it happened was in 2019, when Chinese vessels made a similar journey to attend the same Russian naval event.

Related posts:

‘Assad must be held accountable’: Inside the ‘optimistic’ bid to bring Syria’s president to trial People trapped on subway trains as Chinese city sees more rain in an hour than flood-hit Germany in three days ‘Perfect’ comeback: Christian Eriksen makes fairytale return to Denmark after cardiac arrest The new powerful US weapon being used by Ukraine against Russian targets Stranded beluga whale in River Seine given ‘vitamin cocktail’ Ceasefire agreed as Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad come to a truce ‘I’m completely bullet-proof’: Ronaldo breaks silence on explosive Man United interview US, Israeli and Saudi diplomats fantasised of peace – but Hamas and Iran had other plans | Dominic Waghorn ‘Woman and children killed’ in Israeli strikes on Lebanon US to send $300m in military aid to Ukraine as Republicans continue to block $60bn funding package Novak Djokovic pulls out of French Open Human remains found in search for girl attacked by crocodile