China bans four New Zealand MPs from entering its territory

China has banned four New Zealand Members of Parliament from entering its territory after they visited Taiwan, Radio New Zealand reported on Thursday. The ban applies to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, following their participation in a cross-party delegation that visited Taiwan for five days last May.

The New Zealand Parliament Clerk informed Maureen Pugh of the National Party, Duncan Webb of the Labour Party, Laura McClure of ACT, and David Wilson of NZ First that Chinese authorities have imposed a one-year entry ban. According to reports, the Chinese Embassy stated that the sanctions could be reduced or revoked if the MPs issue an apology.

However, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasised that the country will continue to pursue trade, economic, cultural, and indigenous exchanges with Taiwan in the interest of New Zealand citizens. The Ministry also clarified that the four MPs were not representing the government during their visit to Taiwan.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has instructed officials to raise the issue in discussions with China and to express concern regarding the travel ban. “In the context of this long-standing relationship, the minister was surprised to learn that China has decided, for the first time, to impose a travel ban on New Zealand Members of Parliament as a result of their visit to Taiwan,” a spokesperson for Peters said in a statement.

The spokesperson added that New Zealand has maintained a One China policy for over half a century. “New Zealand Members of Parliament have visited Taiwan for decades, and such visits are not contrary to New Zealand’s One China policy,” the spokesperson stated.