New Zealand naval ships transit contested Taiwan Strait

Two New Zealand naval ships transited the Taiwan Strait late last week, the New Zealand Defence Force said Monday, as tensions remain high over the waterway claimed by China and regarded by Taiwan and the US as international waters. The September 18 crossings involved frigate Te Mana and oiler Aotearoa, part of a three-month Indo-Pacific deployment. New Zealand has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the move a routine activity conducted “under international law” in international waters. China’s Defence Ministry did not immediately comment. Taiwan said freedom of navigation applies. The defence ministry declined to share details of allied ships’ operations.