TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The New Zealand Defence Force said on Tuesday that its largest naval vessel encountered a Taiwanese warship while transiting the Taiwan Strait last month, releasing a photo documenting the encounter, per CNA.

Reuters reported that the NDF previously stated that its supply ship HMNZS Aotearoa transited the Taiwan Strait from the South China Sea to North Asia on Nov. 5, during which it was followed by seven different Chinese naval vessels, which maintained a safe distance.

The NDF published the news item on its website about the ship's operations in Asia, accompanied by a photo of a New Zealand Navy officer observing a distant warship through binoculars, without specifying the ship's nationality.

An NDF spokesperson told Reuters that the Taiwanese warship, a Cheng Kung-class frigate, was "unexpectedly encountered" by the HMNZS Aotearoa in the Taiwan Strait. The Cheng Kung-class frigate is a domestically built Taiwanese warship, a modified version of the US Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment. While Taiwan does monitor foreign warships navigating the Taiwan Strait, publicly released photos of Taiwanese warships conducting this mission are rare.

A senior Taiwanese security official familiar with the matter pointed out that Taiwan routinely provides escorts to ships from like-minded countries transiting the Taiwan Strait, knowing these vessels are frequently subjected to harassment or simulated attacks by the Chinese military.

The official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated, "This is to ensure that Chinese warships and aircraft cannot further harass them."

Like most countries, New Zealand does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, Taipei considers New Zealand an important like-minded democratic partner, and both sides have established trade and economic offices in their respective capitals that function as de facto embassies.