UK reminds China of importance of maritime law - PM May's office

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed the importance of international maritime law in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday, May's office said in a statement.

"The Prime Minister reiterated the UK's firm commitment to the rules-based international system, including the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security, in line with international law," the statement issued following a meeting in Brussels added.

Last month, Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, saying Britain had engaged in "provocation".

(Reporting by William James and Alistair Smout; editing by Stephen Addison)