New Zealand PM to Raise China Entry Ban on MPs Who Visited Taiwan Directly with Beijing

(Central News Agency, Wellington, June 5, Combined Foreign Reports) New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said today that four members of parliament were banned from entering China after visiting Taiwan last month, and New Zealand will raise the matter directly with Beijing authorities.

According to Reuters, three MPs from New Zealand's center-right governing coalition, Laura McClure, David Wilson, and Maureen Pugh, along with opposition Labour Party MP Duncan Webb, visited Taipei last month for a five-day trip.

According to an email from the Office of the Clerk of the New Zealand Parliament, the Chinese embassy informed the MPs that the delegation had been banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year.

Luxon said the MPs were not representing the executive branch of the government and should have the "freedom to meet anyone they want."

Speaking to media during a visit to Australia, where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Luxon said: "We think the response we have seen from China is completely inappropriate. We will raise this issue with them directly."

In recent years, New Zealand and China have maintained a largely stable relationship, even as Wellington has become increasingly outspoken about China's expanding influence in the Pacific. China remains New Zealand's largest trading partner.

Over the past three years, high-level politicians from both countries have exchanged visits several times, with Luxon himself visiting China in 2025.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has instructed 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."

Australia has also said it will raise concerns with the Chinese embassy in Canberra and in Beijing.

Luxon welcomed Australia's support but emphasized that the issue is a "state-to-state" matter between New Zealand and China.

Luxon said he would raise the fact that New Zealand maintains its "One China policy" and recognizes China's claims over Taiwan, but that this does not represent an endorsement of those claims. (Editor: Liu Shuqin) 1150605