New Zealand Naval Vessel Crosses Taiwan Strait for First Time Since 2017, Reports Reuters

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Naval vessels from New Zealand and Australia traversed the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, as confirmed by New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins in a statement released on Thursday.

The two ships moved through the strategically significant strait starting at 2 PM local time on Wednesday. Collins characterized this operation as a routine activity that adheres to international law.

"The New Zealand Defence Force conducts all activities in accordance with international law and best practice," Collins stated.

Notably, this marked the first occasion since 2017 that a New Zealand naval vessel has passed through the strait. A report from a Japanese newspaper indicated that the two ships were accompanied by the Japanese Self Defense Force destroyer Sazanami; however, Collins’ statement referenced only the New Zealand and Australian vessels.

Australia’s Department of Defence corroborated the transit, labeling it as routine and highlighting the nation’s dedication to maintaining an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, asserts exclusive sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait. In contrast, both the U.S. and Taiwan regard the strait as an international waterway, crucial for global trade as approximately half of all container ships navigate through it.

A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry remarked that the nation manages foreign warships in the strait according to the law. "We will maintain a high degree of vigilance against any act that may endanger China’s sovereignty and security," stated Lin Jian during a routine press briefing.

U.S. warships typically traverse the strait about once every two months, provoking strong reactions from Beijing. Additionally, some U.S. allies, including Canada and Britain, have made similar passages on occasion.

China, which has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan, has intensified military activities around the island in recent years, including conducting military exercises.