TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — In addition to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (Sept. 25). 

The Japanese destroyer JS Sazanami's passage through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday marked the first in the history of the JMSDF. That same day, 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, per RW News. 

This is the first time Australian and New Zealand naval vessels have transited the Taiwan Strait together, following the first voyage of a German warship through the strait in 22 years.

The German Navy frigate Baden-Württemberg (F222) passed through the Taiwan Strait on Sept. 13, with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) activated, allowing the world to track its movements. However, the Australian and New Zealand warships seemingly did not activate their AIS, making it difficult to determine their exact speed and location.

RW News cited sources as saying the Royal Australian Navy missile destroyer entered the northern entrance of the Taiwan Strait Wednesday afternoon, followed by transit through the strait, sailing east of the median line. The People's Liberation Army Navy had already dispatched five naval vessels in the morning to monitor the area, positioned both west and east of the median line. 

Once the Royal New Zealand Navy ship entered the strait, the five Chinese warships reportedly surrounded the Australian and New Zealand vessels, conducting close surveillance.