A British frigate followed a Chinese warship in the English Channel over the weekend

The Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster followed the Chinese destroyer Xian through the English Channel on Saturday.

Xian, which participated in Russia's Navy Days in St. Petersburg, “conducted herself in a safe and professional manner throughout,” the Westminster's commanding officer said.

LONDON (AP) — Britain's Royal Navy says one of its ships shadowed a Chinese destroyer as it sailed through the English Channel.

A navy statement said the HMS Westminster met up with the guided-missile destroyer Xian as it entered Dover Strait on Saturday.

The Xian was returning from Russia's annual Navy Days in St. Petersburg. The UK navy says another frigate accompanied the Chinese ship up the channel three weeks ago on its way to the event.

The Westminster's commanding officer, Will Paston, says the Royal Navy “routinely monitors other country's warships through territorial waters” and the “Xian conducted herself in a safe and professional manner throughout.”

The Westminster has been attached to a NATO task group since March and training for anti-submarine warfare off the west coast of Norway.