New Zealand naval ships transit contested Taiwan Strait

• Two New Zealand naval ships, Te Mana and Aotearoa, transited the contested Taiwan Strait on Sept 18 as part of a three-month Indo-Pacific deployment.
• New Zealand considers the transit routine, conducted under international law in international waters, despite China’s claim over the strait.
• This move highlights New Zealand’s commitment to the region amid tensions, with China closely monitoring previous transits and not yet commenting on this one.

WELLINGTON – Two New Zealand naval ships transited the Taiwan Strait late last week, New Zealand’s Defence Force said on Sept 21, amid tension over the waterway claimed by China and when it last transited the Strait in November 2025, one source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

During that sailing, Chinese ships and aircraft monitored the Aotearoa, with Chinese jets carrying out simulated attacks, the source added.US warships sail through the strait every few months, provoking criticism from Beijing, and some US allies, such as Canada and Britain make occasional transits.China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has stepped up military activities around the island over the past five years, including staging war games. REUTERS

source: The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/new-zealand-naval-ships-transit-contested-taiwan-strait