By Blessing Nweke
China has imposed a one-year travel ban on four New Zealand Members of Parliament following their recent visit to Taiwan, marking the first time Beijing has taken such action against New Zealand lawmakers over engagements with the self-governed island.
The ban affects ruling coalition MPs Maureen Pugh, David Wilson and Laura McClure, along with opposition Labour Party lawmaker Duncan Webb. The MPs reportedly learned of the restrictions after returning from their visit to Taiwan in May.
A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the decision had come as a surprise, noting that New Zealand parliamentarians had visited Taiwan for decades without facing similar consequences. The spokesperson stressed that such visits were consistent with New Zealand’s long-standing One China policy, under which Wellington formally recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China while maintaining unofficial exchanges with Taiwan.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said the lawmakers had ignored China’s concerns and proceeded with the trip in their capacity as parliamentarian . Beijing argued that the visit sent “wrong signals” to Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party and supporters of Taiwanese independence, calling it interference in China’s internal affairs.
ACT Party MP Laura McClure rejected the criticism, describing the travel ban as a form of foreign interference. She said she would not apologize for visiting Taiwan and expressed shock at the decision, noting that similar parliamentary visits had occurred for years.
Peters has directed foreign ministry officials in Beijing and Wellington to seek clarification from Chinese authorities regarding what New Zealand views as a departure from previous practice.
The move comes amid growing tensions over Taiwan, with China having previously sanctioned U.S. lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Michael McCaul, following visits to the island.
Original article
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