A Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands, called the Paracels, claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea on August 31, triggering an angry reaction from the Chinese government.
An anonymous source said the UK took the action because it does not recognise China’s “excessive claims” to the disputed territory.
The China Daily, a major state-run newspaper, said in an editorial written in English: “China and the UK has agreed to actively explore the possibility of discussing a free trade agreement after Brexit.
“Any act that harms China’s core interests will only put a spanner in the works.”
China and the UK agreed only last month to look at the possibility of reaching a “top-notch” post-Brexit free trade deal which could be a key political gain for Theresa May’s Government.
There was talk of a “golden era” in ties between the two countries, although any trade deal talks could not officially begin until the UK has left the EU.
The Paracels are disputed territory, currently occupied by China but also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan to be their own.
The Chinese navy warned the HMS Albion, a 22,000 ton amphibious warship, to leave the area.
China’s foreign ministry said: “The Chinese side strongly urges the British side to immediately stop taking such kinds of provocative actions.”
The China Daily claims the UK is simply trying to “curry favour” with the US, which has been pushing for more international participation in Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea.
The paper said: “Now that it is eyeing the US as an economic lifeline after it exits the European Union – the United Kingdom is no doubt eager to seize whatever opportunity it can get into Washington’s good books.”
The unoccupied, but strategically-important islands in the South China Sea are contested by many nearby countries, but only China has taken action to seize them for themselves.
It has recently been building extensive reclamations of reefs and islands, as well as constructing runways, hangers and missile systems on the islands.
The Chinese government asserts it is entitled to build on its territories and says the facilities are for civilian use – or necessary self-defence.
The waters here are very busy, with $3trillion worth of trade passing through every year.