WELLINGTON: Beijing has barred a group of New Zealand lawmakers from entering China after they visited Taiwan in May, Wellington said on Thursday (Jun 4), voicing concern over the ban.
The four MPs hail from across the political spectrum and made the trip to the island as part of a cross-party delegation, with New Zealand noting its lawmakers have visited Taiwan for decades.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ office confirmed the ban and said he instructed the nation’s diplomats “to express concern at this departure from past practice and to better understand it”.
China claims self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes the democratic island’s participation in international organisations and exchanges with other countries.
Peters’ office said on Thursday that the visit by the MPs was not inconsistent with New Zealand’s “One China” policy, in which Wellington recognises Beijing’s claim over Taiwan.
“New Zealand Members of Parliament are free to make their own individual decisions, independent of the government, about how they respond to invitations to travel overseas,” his spokesperson said.
While Wellington does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, “this does not preclude New Zealand from maintaining trade, economic, cultural and indigenous exchanges”, the foreign ministry said.
“We intend to continue these exchanges as they benefit the people of New Zealand and are entirely consistent with our One China policy.”
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong also told a hearing of the country’s Senate that Canberra was “concerned” by the bans and diplomats would raise the issue with Chinese counterparts.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns” the ban, insisting “China has no right to interfere” in its international interactions.
“DISAPPOINTING”
New Zealand lawmakers Simon O’Connor and Ingrid Leary created the All Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan in March 2023 with the goal of improving ties with the island and holding discussions about trade, healthcare and semiconductor technology.
The Chinese embassy in Wellington raised immediate concerns about their visits, saying they breached the “One China” policy.
Taiwan’s foreign affairs ministry said last month the trip was the third by the group since the group’s founding.
The office of the Taiwanese president said the group had met Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim during their visit.
One of the MPs hit with a ban, Laura McClure, told RNZ that China was trying to intimidate New Zealand lawmakers.
“New Zealand is sovereign, and members of parliament have the right to represent the communities and constituents that we do, and we have the right to travel freely around the globe,” she said.
“That is part of living in a free democracy.”
RNZ reported that the Chinese Embassy in Wellington had said it would reverse the ban if the politicians apologised.
The mission did not respond to a request for comment from AFP.
“It’s not exactly clear what we would be apologising for, and if it is just for travelling to Taiwan, I personally will not be apologising,” McClure said.
Labour MP Duncan Webb, who took part in the trip, told RNZ that the lawmakers had been warned by the Chinese embassy before travelling that they faced a ban if they went.
“With the increasing tensions, I suppose a response wasn’t surprising, but I think it is disappointing,” Webb said.
