New Zealand Expresses Concern to China Over Entry Ban on 4 MPs Who Visited Taiwan

(Central News Agency, Sydney, 4th Combined Foreign Reports) New Zealand said today that China has banned four New Zealand Members of Parliament who visited Taiwan last month from entering the country, and New Zealand will express its concern to Beijing over the matter. Reuters reported that a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that for decades, New Zealand MPs have visited the democratically governed island. The spokesperson said, "Such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand's One-China policy," referring to the policy under which New Zealand has recognized Beijing as the sole legal government of China since 1972. "In the context of this long history, the Minister is surprised by China's decision to impose a travel ban for the first time in response to a visit by New Zealand MPs to Taiwan." Peters has instructed New Zealand foreign ministry officials in Beijing and Wellington to discuss the matter with the Chinese side "to express concern about this departure from previous practice and to better understand the situation." In recent years, New Zealand and China have maintained a largely stable relationship, even as Wellington has become increasingly outspoken about Beijing's expanding influence in the Pacific. China remains New Zealand's largest trading partner. Over the past three years, senior politicians from both countries have exchanged visits several times, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visiting China in 2025. The Chinese embassy in Wellington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The New Zealand Herald reported that the Chinese embassy informed Parliament that four MPs had been banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year. The Herald said the ban targets three MPs from the ruling center-right coalition—Laura McClure, David Wilson, and Maureen Pugh—and Labour opposition MP Duncan Webb. McClure told the New Zealand Herald that the travel ban was "a form of foreign interference." She said, "I will not apologize for visiting Taiwan." The New Zealand Herald reported that the Chinese embassy told New Zealand parliamentary officials that the travel ban could be shortened or revoked if the MPs apologize for the trip. (Edited by Zhang Xiaowen) 1150604