Beijing has recently imposed entry restrictions on New Zealand members of parliament for the first time, drawing attention from the New Zealand government and the international community.
The four lawmakers, who visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-party delegation, have been banned from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year. In response to China’s reported demand that they apologize for their Taiwan visit in exchange for lifting the restrictions, the lawmakers unequivocally rejected the proposal, emphasizing that they would not apologize for engaging with Taiwan.
The four lawmakers subject to the ban are governing coalition MPs Laura McClure, David Wilson, and Maureen Pugh, as well as opposition Labour Party MP Duncan Webb, the Associated Press reported.
The four formed a bipartisan delegation that traveled to Taiwan in May. During the visit, they met with Taiwanese officials and exchanged views on issues including democratic governance, economic and trade cooperation, and regional security.
China demands apology; New Zealand lawmakers refuse
According to agency reports, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand has notified relevant parliamentary offices that the four lawmakers are prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year, effective immediately. Chinese authorities also reportedly conveyed through diplomatic channels that if the lawmakers were willing to apologize for their Taiwan visit, the duration of the ban could potentially be shortened or lifted altogether.
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A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on June 4 that New Zealand lawmakers have been visiting democratically governed Taiwan for “decades,” and that such visits are consistent with New Zealand’s One China policy, Reuters reported.
The spokesperson said the government was “surprised” by China’s decision to impose the restrictions, the first such action of its kind, and had instructed diplomatic officials in both Wellington and Beijing to express concern to China over what it described as a departure from previous practice and to seek further clarification.
The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand issued a statement on June 4 regarding the ban, saying that New Zealand “should not be surprised.” Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated that Beijing has consistently opposed parliamentarians from countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China conducting official exchanges with Taiwan. It argued that the lawmakers had violated the “One China principle” and stated that the countermeasures were taken in accordance with Chinese law. The ministry also warned that anyone who “crosses the red line” on the Taiwan issue “must pay the price.”
Coalition lawmaker Laura McClure told the Associated Press that the demand for an apology was “clearly insulting” and that she would not apologize. Speaking separately to New Zealand media, she described the move as a tactic of intimidation by Beijing intended to deter other lawmakers from visiting Taiwan in the future. She further characterized the action as a form of foreign interference.
Opposition Labour Party lawmaker Duncan Webb said in an email that New Zealand values its democratic system and the right to engage with international partners. “If the price of doing so is being excluded from China for one year, then I am willing to pay that price,” he wrote to Associated Press. The other two lawmakers had not publicly responded at the time.
New Zealand raises concerns with Beijing; Australia voices support
The New Zealand government expressed surprise and concern over China’s decision. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that visits to Taiwan by members of parliament have taken place for many years and do not conflict with the country’s One China policy. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has instructed officials to engage with Beijing, seek clarification regarding the restrictions, and convey concerns about China’s departure from its previous practice.
According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on June 4 that the Australian government would also raise concerns with Beijing. She stated that Australia shares the principle articulated by New Zealand—that members of parliament, including those in the Australian Parliament, should be free to determine their own travel plans—and that “it is not appropriate to pressure parliamentarians.”
Meanwhile, Angus Taylor, leader of Australia’s opposition Liberal Party, described China’s action as “shameful” and called on the government to ensure that Australian lawmakers are not subjected to similar treatment.
Taiwan condemns the restrictions
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the travel ban, arguing that parliamentary diplomacy is a normal form of interaction among democratic countries and that China has no right to interfere in exchanges between Taiwan and elected representatives of other nations, reported Taipei Times.
The ministry also thanked the New Zealand lawmakers for continuing to support engagement and cooperation among democratic partners despite political pressure.
At a press conference, Liang Wen-chieh, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, said that Taiwan’s interactions with countries around the world are a legitimate right of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a sovereign state.
He argued that Beijing’s efforts to pressure and coerce other countries in order to restrict Taiwan’s international space would only strengthen support for Taiwan among its friends and partners.
Growing sensitivity in New Zealand–China relations
Reports noted that this appears to be the first time Beijing has imposed travel restrictions on New Zealand lawmakers over a visit to Taiwan. New Zealand parliamentarians have traveled to Taiwan for many years without facing sanctions.
The incident reflects Beijing’s continuing efforts to increase diplomatic pressure on Taiwan and has once again made Taiwan-related issues a sensitive point in relations between New Zealand and China.
Although China remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner, differences over regional security issues and concerns about China’s expanding influence have become increasingly visible in recent years.
