New Zealand naval ships transit contested Taiwan Strait

Wellington – New Zealand’s Defence Force announced on Monday that two of its naval vessels successfully navigated through the Taiwan Strait, amid heightened tensions surrounding the waterway. This region, claimed in full by China, is recognized by Taiwan and the United States as an international maritime zone. New Zealand, while lacking formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, acknowledges the island nation as a valuable democratic ally, with both countries maintaining unofficial embassies in each other's capitals.

The two naval missions, carried out by frigate Te Mana and oiler Aotearoa, were part of a broader, three-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific, according to a spokesperson for the Defence Force. The spokesperson emphasized that these deployments underscored New Zealand's ongoing commitment and interest in the region.

China’s Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the matter. China maintains that it holds sole sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait, despite Taiwan's rejection of Beijing's claims. Both the United States and Taiwan assert that the strait, a crucial trade route for approximately half of all global container ships, is an international waterway.

A recent incident in November 2025 saw Chinese forces tracking and following the Aotearoa as it transited the Strait, according to a source familiar with the situation. New Zealand is one of only two nations, alongside Singapore, that has a free trade agreement with Taiwan. During the voyage, Chinese vessels and aircraft monitored the Aotearoa, with Chinese fighter jets conducting simulated attacks, the source added.

U.S. warships regularly traverse the strait, a move that draws criticism from Beijing, and several U.S. allies, including Canada and Britain, have also conducted occasional transits. China, which has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has intensified military activities around the island over the past five years, including staging military exercises.