Britain plans to send warship to South China Sea in move likely to irk Beijing

Britain's Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon arrives for a media conference in Sydney, Australia July 27, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Britain plans to send a warship to the disputed South China Sea next year to conduct freedom of navigation exercises, Defence Minister Michael Fallon said on Thursday, a move likely to anger Beijing.

Britain would increase its presence in the waters after it sent four British fighter planes for joint exercises with Japan in the region last year, he said.