Japanese destroyer, Australian and NZ warships make historic transit in Taiwan Strait making China nervous

After Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer, naval vessels from Australia and New Zealand sailed through the highly contentious Taiwan Strait. According to the Taiwan News, the three vessels sailed on Wednesday, September 25. This is the first time Australian and New Zealand vessels have transited through the Taiwan Strait together in 22 years.

The recent voyages did not sit well with China. As per the reports, 5 Chinese warships reportedly surrounded the two vessels. Meanwhile, the Japanese destroyer JS Sazanami’s passage through the contentious Strait on Wednesday. This is the first time in history, that the JMSDF vessel sailed through the region.

The transits also came just days after US President Joe Biden hosted the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware. Which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.

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The Aus, NZ keep a close eye

According to Taiwan News, a missile destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy, the HMAS Sydney (DDG 42), and the supply ship HMNZS Endeavour (A11) of the Royal New Zealand Navy navigated from north to south in the strait. On September 13, the German Navy frigate Baden-Württemberg (F222) passed through the region with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) activated. The AIS allowed the world to navigate to track the movement over the vessel.

However, this time, neither Australia nor New Zealand warships activated their AIS, making it difficult to determine their exact speed and location.

As per the report, the Royal Australian Navy missile destroyer entered the northern entrance of the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon and sailed east of the median line. The People’s Liberation Army Navy dispatched five naval vessels in the morning to monitor the area, positioned both west and east of the median line.

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After the Royal New Zealand Navy ship entered the strait, the five Chinese warships reportedly surrounded the Australian and New Zealand vessels, conducting close surveillance. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence stated that it is closely monitoring the situation.

With inputs from agencies.