New Zealand warships sail through Taiwan Strait, underscoring freedom of navigation

During a three-month Indo-Pacific tour, New Zealand’s frigate HMNZS Te Mana and the oiler HMNZS Aotearoa navigated the Taiwan Strait on Friday. The New Zealand Defence Force called the transit a routine activity conducted safely in international waters. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon affirmed the mission’s legality and said he did not expect backlash from China, New Zealand’s top trading partner.

Taiwan’s defence minister Wellington Koo stressed that the strait is an international waterway where all nations enjoy freedom of navigation. The Chinese Ministry of National Defense has not responded to requests for comment, while previous transits of the Aotearoa were monitored by Chinese forces. The passage highlights New Zealand’s ongoing engagement with Taiwan despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.