Two New Zealand Warships Transit Taiwan Strait Amid Rising Tensions With China

Two New Zealand naval ships passed through the Taiwan Strait on Sept. 18 while heading to a joint exercise with the Philippines, the New Zealand Defence Force said.

The ships were the Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Mana and the sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa. Both are on a three-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

Military tensions around Taiwan have grown in recent years. China has increased its military activity around the island, while Taiwan has increased its defence spending.

The Taiwan Strait is also an important route for global shipping. About half of the world’s container ships use the waterway, according to the source material.

China says Taiwan is part of its territory and claims sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan rejects that claim.

The United States, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia and other countries say the strait is international waters and that ships from all countries have the right to pass through it.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said New Zealand’s ships have a long history of operating in the region.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the passage a “routine activity”.

Luxon said the ships were on their way to a joint exercise with the Philippines. He also said he did not expect China to protest over the passage.

China says it has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Beijing also claims Taiwan as part of China. Taipei rejects Beijing’s position.

The United States and Taiwan say the strait is an international waterway and that countries have freedom of navigation there.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it was aware of the situation but would not give details about the movements of aircraft and ships belonging to allied and friendly countries.

It also said all countries have freedom of navigation in the strait.

New Zealand does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the two sides have de facto embassies in each other’s capitals.

Taiwan considers New Zealand an important like-minded democratic partner. New Zealand is also one of only two major countries, along with Singapore, to have a free trade pact with Taiwan.

New Zealand naval ships also passed through the Taiwan Strait in November 2025.

A source familiar with that passage told Reuters that Chinese forces tracked and followed Aotearoa.

The source said Chinese ships and aircraft monitored the vessel. Chinese jets also carried out simulated attacks during the passage.

The New Zealand Defence Force said its ships regularly use routes in the region while travelling between different engagements.

Other navies also use the Taiwan Strait

China has increased military activity around Taiwan over the past five years, including military exercises.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

U.S. warships pass through the Taiwan Strait every few months. Canada and Britain also send naval ships through the waterway from time to time.

Beijing has criticised U.S. naval passages through the strait.

References: taiwannews, Reuters