A British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights. <br/><br/>British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week. <br/><br/>Williamson told the Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra that the frigate will be sailing through the South China Sea on the way home and making it clear their navy has a right to do that. <br/><br/>He did not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. <br/><br/>Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia assert their values in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits. <br/><br/><br/>

A British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights. <br/><br/>British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week. <br/><br/>Williamson told the Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra that the frigate will be sailing through the South China Sea on the way home and making it clear their navy has a right to do that. <br/><br/>He did not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. <br/><br/>Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia assert their values in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits. <br/><br/><br/>