Key Takeaways
- A New Zealand navy ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, was shadowed by seven Chinese warships while on a mission in East Asia to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
- The ship was accompanied by a P-8A Poseidon and worked with ships from Canada, France, and Japan to deter illicit activity and support allied ships at sea.
- The crew of the Aotearoa successfully interrupted two possibly illicit ship-to-ship transfers, identified seven vessels of interest, and broadcast 79 deterrence messages.
- The ship also carried out replenishments at sea for Australian and US vessels, demonstrating international cooperation and professionalism.
Introduction to the Mission
The New Zealand Defence Force has confirmed that one of its navy ships, HMNZS Aotearoa, was shadowed by seven Chinese warships while on a mission in East Asia. The ship was sent to the East China and Yellow Seas last month to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities in an effort to bolster United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea. The mission, known as Operation Whio, aimed to curb North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The vessel was accompanied by a P-8A Poseidon, which worked in partnership with the Aotearoa to achieve the mission’s objectives.
Encounter with Chinese Warships
During its patrol, the HMNZS Aotearoa was shadowed by seven different People’s Liberation Army (Navy) warships, which kept a "safe and professional distance" throughout. The Defence Force has confirmed that the Chinese warships did not interfere with the A
