New Zealand

So what?  A smaller ally like New Zealand normalizing Taiwan Strait transits, alongside the periodic passages of the U.S., Canada, and Britain, reinforces treating the strait as international waters over Beijing's objection — the kind of quiet allied coordination this year's intensified Chinese coast guard boarding activity near Taiwan aims to discourage. Watch whether Beijing responds with renewed shadowing; a repeat of last November's simulated intercepts would signal a harder Chinese line against a wider circle of partner navies, not just the U.S.