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China Tracks Australian Warship in Tense Taiwan Strait Transit

China's military tracked and monitored an Australian Anzac-class frigate, the HMAS Toowoomba, as it transited the Taiwan Strait in February. The strategic waterway saw vessels from eight countries, including the US, UK, and Japan, pass through in 2025, according to Taiwanese officials. The United States asserts these transits uphold freedom of navigation and reject unilateral sovereignty claims over the strait. Meanwhile, China has conducted military exercises demonstrating a potential blockade capability against Taiwan.

Key Points: China Monitors Australian Warship in Taiwan Strait

  • Chinese military tracked Australian frigate
  • Taiwan Strait is contested waterway
  • Multiple allies conducted 2025 transits
  • US asserts freedom of navigation
  • China held blockade exercises near Taiwan
2 min read

China tracks, monitors Australian warship transit Taiwan Strait

Chinese military tracked HMAS Toowoomba's Taiwan Strait transit. US-led allies conduct regular passages, challenging Beijing's territorial claims.

"The PLA carried out full-process tracking, monitoring, and alert operations throughout the transit. - Chinese State Media"

Beijing, February 22

An Anzac-class warship of Australia, an ally of the United States, transited through the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese military source told State media, which said that the frigate was tracked and monitored throughout the transit.

A Chinese military source told the Global Times that on February 20 and February 21, the Royal Australian Navy warship, the HMAS Toowoomba, transited the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out full-process tracking, monitoring, and alert operations throughout the transit, Chinese state media reported.

A December 2025 report in the Taipei Times said that eight countries sent military vessels through the Taiwan Strait last year

The US, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the UK and France all sent military vessels through the Taiwan Strait this year (2025), Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen had said in December, as cited by the Taipei Times.

The official futher said that two joint operations by the US and UK, as well as Canada and Australia, were also held.

Beijing views the strategic strait as Chinese territorial waters, which Taiwan contests.

Earlier on January 16-17, this year, US naval vessels Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113 ) and Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65) transited the Taiwan Strait, according to a statement by the US 7th Fleet.

"The ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. The transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. The international community's navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait should not be limited. The United States rejects any assertion of sovereignty or jurisdiction that is inconsistent with freedoms of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and air," the statement read.

In December 2025, the Chinese military the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and China Coast Guard conducted "Justice Mission" exercises around Taiwan. The drill was intended to demonstrate Beijing's ability to blockade Taiwan and defeat foreign forces coming to Taipei's aid.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see so many countries involved. From a strategic perspective, it seems like a coordinated effort to test China's responses. The PLA's "full-process tracking" shows they are prepared, but these transits increase the risk of miscalculation. A delicate situation.
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Priya S
While I understand China's position, the constant military posturing from all sides is worrying. The "Justice Mission" exercises simulating a blockade are particularly escalatory. Dialogue is needed, not just warships and war games. The common people on all sides suffer from this tension.
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Arjun K
The US statement is the standard line they use everywhere. First South China Sea, now Taiwan Strait. They want to maintain military dominance in Asia-Pacific. India must watch this closely and ensure its own interests in the Indian Ocean are not compromised by similar tactics.
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Karthik V
Eight countries! That's quite a list. It shows Taiwan has many friends, but also highlights how isolated China is on this issue. Beijing's aggressive stance is pushing more nations to conduct these transits. Maybe a rethink of strategy is needed? 🤔
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Meera T
As an Indian, our position is clear: we support the One-China policy. These transits by Western navies are unnecessary and increase regional instability. We have enough challenges on our own borders; we don't need more flashpoints in our neighbourhood. Peace should be the priority.

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