China's embassy in Wellington issued a formal statement on March 13, criticizing the four New Zealand lawmakers' May visit to Taiwan, accusing them of ignoring Beijing's 'serious concerns, firm opposition and multiple prior warnings.' The statement called the visit an interference in China's internal affairs and warned that 'anyone who crosses the red line on the Taiwan issue will face consequences.'
According to the Associated Press, the three lawmakers from New Zealand's ruling center-right coalition — Laura McClure, David Wilson, and Maureen Pugh — along with opposition Labour Party lawmaker Duncan Webb, have been banned from entering China for one year. To have the ban reduced or lifted, China's embassy demands the lawmakers apologize for their trip.
A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand lawmakers have visited Taiwan for decades without issue, and Peters was 'surprised' that China imposed a travel ban on New Zealand lawmakers for the first time over such a reason. Peters has instructed New Zealand officials in Beijing and Wellington to discuss the matter with Chinese authorities to 'express concern about this departure from previous practice and to better understand the issue.'
Lawmaker McClure called the ban 'a form of foreign interference' and declared she will not apologize for the visit to Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan's foreign ministry condemned Beijing's ban, insisting that 'parliamentary diplomacy is a normal activity between democratic nations' and that China has no right to interfere with meetings with 'international friends.'
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also expressed 'concern' over the ban and said Canberra would discuss the issue with China. New Zealand-China relations have been stable, with China being New Zealand's largest trading partner, but criticism of Beijing's growing influence in the region has recently begun to rise in New Zealand.
Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, but China considers it part of its territory and demands unification under Beijing's rule. The Chinese government has discouraged nations from maintaining formal ties with Taiwan, leaving the island with only 12 diplomatic allies. New Zealand is not among them, as it recognizes Beijing's One-China principle, officially viewing Taiwan as a province of China. China has not ruled out using force to take control of Taiwan, but Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims over the island.
