China’s Ministry of National Defense has stated that PLA naval and air forces monitored the passage of the New Zealand frigate HMNZS Te Mana and replenishment ship HMNZS Aotearoa through the Taiwan Strait.
New Zealand had previously confirmed the transit itself. China’s statement indicates that the vessels were tracked throughout their passage, although the specific sensors, platforms and surveillance methods employed have not been independently established.
The intelligence relevance lies primarily in the routine use of PLA maritime and airborne surveillance assets to detect, classify and shadow foreign naval movements through the Taiwan Strait.
Source: Chinese Ministry of National Defense; New Zealand Defence Force.