New Zealand’s largest naval vessel was followed by seven Chinese warships in a deployment to East Asia last month, including a rare transit through the Taiwan Strait, according to the Pacific nation’s military.
HMNZS Aotearoa, a Polar-class replenishment vessel, was deployed to the East China and Yellow seas with allies, the New Zealand Defence Force said in a statement on Monday.
“During the operation, the ship was shadowed by seven different People’s Liberation Army (Navy) warships, which maintained a safe and professional distance throughout,” it said, without elaborating on the time and location.
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Reuters reported that the Aotearoa sailed from the South China Sea to the North Asian region via the Taiwan Strait on November 5 and was followed by Chinese vessels.
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Wellington said on Monday the ship was to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities to bolster United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea because of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Alongside the flagship vessel, Wellington also deployed a P-8A Poseidon, an advanced multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, for anti-submarine and search-and-rescue activities in the mission.
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The South China Morning Post has reached out to China’s defence ministry for comment.
Reuters also reported that the flagship vessel had encountered the Taiwanese frigate Cheng Kung during the transit.