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New Zealand Naval Ships Transit Contested Taiwan Strait
- On Friday, the New Zealand Defence Force deployed two naval ships, the frigate Te Mana and oiler Aotearoa, through the Taiwan Strait as part of a three-month Indo-Pacific deployment.
- China claims sovereignty over the strait, which handles about half of global container ships, while Taiwan and the United States regard it as international waters; Beijing has stepped up military activities around the island over five years.
- During a November 2025 transit, Chinese forces tracked Aotearoa and conducted simulated jet attacks, according to a source with knowledge of the situation; U.S. warships transit every few months, and allies Canada and Britain have made occasional passages.
- A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson stated the deployments demonstrate the country's continued commitment to the region, though China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- New Zealand is one of just two countries with a free trade pact with Taiwan; while Wellington lacks formal diplomatic ties, Taipei views it as an important democratic partner maintaining de facto embassies.
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New Zealand sends two ships through Taiwan Strait
Two New Zealand naval ships transited the Taiwan Strait late last week, New Zealand\'s Defence Force said today, amid tension over the waterway claimed by China and regarded by Taiwan and the US as international waters.Like most countries, New Zealand has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but
·Taipei, Taiwan
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Total News Sources20
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
L 17%
C 58%
R 25%
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