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China bars four New Zealand lawmakers for Taiwan trip
China has imposed a one-year travel ban on four New Zealand Members of Parliament for visiting Taiwan, marking the first such restriction on the country's legislators, New Zealand's foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday.
Ban follows May visit to Taiwan
The MPs-Maureen Pugh, David Wilson, Laura McClure, and Duncan Webb-learned of the ban upon returning from their trip in May, local media reported. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand stated the restriction could be lifted or reduced if the lawmakers issued an apology.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has sought to limit the island's international engagements. The embassy accused the MPs of disregarding Beijing's "serious concerns" and sending "wrong signals" to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and pro-independence groups, calling the visit "interference in China's internal affairs."
New Zealand rejects China's stance
New Zealand's foreign ministry spokesperson said the ban "surprised" Foreign Minister Winston Peters, noting that such visits have occurred for decades without violating the country's One China policy. The policy recognizes Beijing as the sole Chinese government but does not preclude unofficial ties with Taiwan.
"New Zealand MPs have visited Taiwan for decades, and such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand's One China policy."
New Zealand Foreign Ministry spokesperson
MPs defend visit, reject apology
Laura McClure, an ACT party MP, called the ban "a type of foreign interference" and refused to apologize. She told Radio New Zealand she was "surprised and shocked," emphasizing that New Zealand lawmakers "have the right to travel freely around the globe."
"That is part of living in a free democracy."
Laura McClure, ACT party MP
Diplomatic tensions escalate
Peters has directed officials in Beijing and Wellington to seek clarification from Chinese authorities about the "departure from past practice." New Zealand established diplomatic relations with China in 1972 but maintains informal exchanges with Taiwan.
Last year, a New Zealand parliamentary delegation met Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, drawing criticism from Beijing. China also condemned lawmakers for attending a reception hosted by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Wellington last October.
Broader context of China-Taiwan tensions
Taiwan has accused China of pressuring other nations to isolate it diplomatically. Last month, President Lai's trip to Eswatini-Taiwan's sole African ally-was nearly canceled after China allegedly pressured African countries to block his flight path. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung praised the New Zealand MPs' visit, calling it a show of "support" and "friendship."
China has previously sanctioned U.S. lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi in 2022 and Representative Michael McCaul in 2023, for visiting Taiwan.
