On September 25, 2024, naval vessels from New Zealand and Australia conducted a joint passage through the Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometer-wide waterway separating Taiwan and mainland China. This operation, confirmed by New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins on September 26, marks a significant event in the region's maritime activities.
The passage, which began at 2 pm local time, was characterized by Collins as a routine activity aligned with international law. "The New Zealand Defence Force conducts all activities in accordance with international law and best practice," she stated. This event represents the first time a New Zealand naval ship has traversed the strait since 2017, underscoring its rarity and potential geopolitical implications.
The Taiwan Strait, part of the South China Sea, has been a focal point of geopolitical tension due to the complex relationship between China and Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has intensified military activities in the strait in recent years. Most countries, including the United States, consider the strait international waters, and passages like this are often viewed as assertions of freedom of navigation, a principle of customary international law.
Both New Zealand and Australia, as members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, have defense policies that emphasize maintaining a "rules-based international order." Australia, in particular, has been increasingly vocal about security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and has been strengthening its military ties with the United States.
While a Japanese newspaper reported that the Japanese Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami also participated in the passage, Collins' statement only mentioned New Zealand and Australian involvement. The Australian Department of Defence and the Defence Minister's office did not provide immediate comment on the operation.
This naval passage occurs against the backdrop of increasing international focus on the Taiwan Strait. The United States regularly conducts "freedom of navigation" operations through the strait, which China often criticizes as provocations. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) governs maritime territorial claims, but interpretations of these laws can vary among nations.
The involvement of New Zealand and Australia in this passage may be seen in the context of their broader regional commitments. Although New Zealand's relationship with the U.S. under the ANZUS Treaty was suspended in 1985 due to New Zealand's nuclear-free policy, both countries continue to play significant roles in Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
As tensions in the region persist, such naval operations are likely to remain under close international scrutiny. The passage of these vessels through the Taiwan Strait serves as a reminder of the ongoing complexities in regional maritime relations and the delicate balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.