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China bans four New Zealand MPs over Taiwan visit

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China bans four New Zealand lawmakers over visit to Taiwan

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New Zealand expresses concern after China bans its lawmakers who visited Taiwan

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Beijing bans 4 New Zealand lawmakers from entering China because they visited Taiwan

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly welcomes the delegation of cross-party members of parliament from New Zealand to Taiwan.

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Winston Peters asks officials to 'express concern' with Chinese counterparts over MP travel bans

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Four New Zealand MPs banned from China, Hong Kong and Macau after Taiwan trip

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Will China launch a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by the following years?

China banned four New Zealand lawmakers from entering its national territory, including Hong Kong and Macau, for one year on Thursday after they visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-party delegation. The action is the first of its kind directed against New Zealand MPs.

China banned four New Zealand lawmakers from entering its national territory, including Hong Kong and Macau, for one year on Thursday after they visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-party delegation. The action is the first of its kind directed against New Zealand MPs.

The group, which included National Party MP Maureen Pugh, Labour MP Duncan Webb, ACT Party MP Laura McClure and New Zealand First MP David Wilson, visited Taiwan from May 4 to May 8 as part of the delegation's third visit to the country since its establishment in 2023.

The group, which included National Party MP Maureen Pugh, Labour MP Duncan Webb, ACT Party MP Laura McClure and New Zealand First MP David Wilson, visited Taiwan from May 4 to May 8 as part of the delegation's third visit to the country since its establishment in 2023.

In a statement released on Thursday, however, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand claimed that the visit violated the one-China principle, sent the "wrong signals" to Taiwan's government and constituted interference in China's internal affairs, necessitating a ban in line with Chinese law.

In a statement released on Thursday, however, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand claimed that the visit violated the one-China principle, sent the "wrong signals" to Taiwan's government and constituted interference in China's internal affairs, necessitating a ban in line with Chinese law.

According to an email seen by the Associated Press, the embassy, however, in a message conveyed to the four by New Zealand's Parliamentary Service, suggested it could rescind the travel bans if they apologized for their visit.

According to an email seen by the Associated Press, the embassy, however, in a message conveyed to the four by New Zealand's Parliamentary Service, suggested it could rescind the travel bans if they apologized for their visit.

Two of the four lawmakers have since rejected Beijing's offer, with McClure stating she would "never apologise for … engaging with fellow democracies." Webb, likewise, said he would "pay" the price of a travel ban rather than forgo diplomacy with partners abroad.

Laura McClure

Two of the four lawmakers have since rejected Beijing's offer, with McClure stating she would "never apologise for … engaging with fellow democracies." Webb, likewise, said he would "pay" the price of a travel ban rather than forgo diplomacy with partners abroad.

In response, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was surprised and had instructed officials to discuss the matter with Chinese authorities. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, meanwhile, said that Canberra was also concerned and would raise its objections with Beijing.

In response, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was surprised and had instructed officials to discuss the matter with Chinese authorities. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, meanwhile, said that Canberra was also concerned and would raise its objections with Beijing.

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China banned four New Zealand lawmakers from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau for one year after they visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-party parliamentary delegation — the first time Beijing has imposed such a ban on New Zealand MPs.

China banned four New Zealand lawmakers from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau for one year after they visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-party parliamentary delegation — the first time Beijing has imposed such a ban on New Zealand MPs.

The delegation, which visited Taiwan from May 4 to May 8, included National Party MP Maureen Pugh, Labour MP Duncan Webb, ACT Party MP Laura McClure and New Zealand First MP David Wilson. It was the group's third visit since its establishment in 2023.

The delegation, which visited Taiwan from May 4 to May 8, included National Party MP Maureen Pugh, Labour MP Duncan Webb, ACT Party MP Laura McClure and New Zealand First MP David Wilson. It was the group's third visit since its establishment in 2023.

The Chinese Embassy in Wellington said the ban could be reduced or waived if the lawmakers apologized, stating that the visit sent "wrong signals" to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and constituted interference in China's internal affairs.

The Chinese Embassy in Wellington said the ban could be reduced or waived if the lawmakers apologized, stating that the visit sent "wrong signals" to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and constituted interference in China's internal affairs.

Two of the four lawmakers rejected Beijing's demand for an apology. McClure called the ban "a type of foreign interference," while Webb said he would "pay that price" of being excluded from China for a year rather than forgo engaging with partners abroad.

Two of the four lawmakers rejected Beijing's demand for an apology. McClure called the ban "a type of foreign interference," while Webb said he would "pay that price" of being excluded from China for a year rather than forgo engaging with partners abroad.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was surprised by the bans, noting that NZ lawmakers had visited Taiwan for decades without issue. He instructed officials in Beijing and Wellington to discuss the matter with Chinese authorities.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was surprised by the bans, noting that NZ lawmakers had visited Taiwan for decades without issue. He instructed officials in Beijing and Wellington to discuss the matter with Chinese authorities.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra would raise concerns about the bans with Beijing, stating that "placing pressure on parliamentarians is not appropriate." Taiwan's Foreign Ministry also condemned the bans, calling them unwarranted interference.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra would raise concerns about the bans with Beijing, stating that "placing pressure on parliamentarians is not appropriate." Taiwan's Foreign Ministry also condemned the bans, calling them unwarranted interference.

Visiting Taiwan as sitting lawmakers isn't a neutral act — it violates the one-China principle, which is a foundational norm of international relations. China warned New Zealand repeatedly before taking action, so the entry ban was a predictable and lawful response. Any legislature member from a country with diplomatic ties to China who makes this trip should expect consequences.

Visiting Taiwan as sitting lawmakers isn't a neutral act — it violates the one-China principle, which is a foundational norm of international relations. China warned New Zealand repeatedly before taking action, so the entry ban was a predictable and lawful response. Any legislature member from a country with diplomatic ties to China who makes this trip should expect consequences.

Banning elected lawmakers for visiting Taiwan shows the Chinese Communist Party fundamentally misunderstands how democracy works. Members of Parliament operate independently and visiting Taiwan is a legitimate exercise of that role. Singling out one delegation while ignoring prior visits makes this look like political intimidation, not principled enforcement.

Banning elected lawmakers for visiting Taiwan shows the Chinese Communist Party fundamentally misunderstands how democracy works. Members of Parliament operate independently and visiting Taiwan is a legitimate exercise of that role. Singling out one delegation while ignoring prior visits makes this look like political intimidation, not principled enforcement.

Todd Stephenson

China-Taiwan Relations

China Bans NZ Lawmakers Over Taiwan Visit

New Zealand

China

Politics

Visiting Taiwan as sitting lawmakers isn't some neutral action; rather, it directly violates the one-China principle, a foundational norm of international relations. As a result, China's travel ban on these four MPs was an entirely predictable and lawful response to their blatant interference in its internal affairs and should serve as a warning to others.

Visiting Taiwan as sitting lawmakers isn't some neutral action; rather, it directly violates the one-China principle, a foundational norm of international relations. As a result, China's travel ban on these four MPs was an entirely predictable and lawful response to their blatant interference in its internal affairs and should serve as a warning to others.

China's ban on elected officials from visiting the country after they traveled to Taiwan shows that it fundamentally misunderstands how democracy works. MPs, after all, operate independently and routinely visit countries as part of their duties. Consequently, the New Zealand government must face this challenge head-on, lest China continue to intimidate the country's MPs.

China's ban on elected officials from visiting the country after they traveled to Taiwan shows that it fundamentally misunderstands how democracy works. MPs, after all, operate independently and routinely visit countries as part of their duties. Consequently, the New Zealand government must face this challenge head-on, lest China continue to intimidate the country's MPs.

There is a 25% chance that China will launch a full-scale invasion of Taiwan before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 25% chance that China will launch a full-scale invasion of Taiwan before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

China Bans Four NZ Lawmakers Over Taiwan Visit

China Bans Four NZ Lawmakers Over Taiwan Visit

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