China has barred four New Zealand MPs from entering the country for a year after they visited Taiwan – in a move one MP has described as “intimidation”. National’s Maureen Pugh (the MP for West Coast/Tasman), Labour’s Duncan Webb (the MP for Christchurch Central), ACT’s Laura McClure (Christchurch) and NZ First’s David Wilson (Auckland), both list MPs, travelled to Taiwan in May as part of a five-day cross-party delegation. On their return, they were informed by Parliament’s Clerk that Chinese authorities had imposed a one-year
ban on them entering China, Hong Kong and Macau. The Chinese Embassy said the sanction could be reduced or lifted if the MPs apologised. McClure told RNZ she was “quite surprised and shocked” by the decision, given similar parliamentary visits had occurred for years. “It’s not exactly clear what we would be apologising for, and if it is just for travelling to Taiwan, I personally will not be apologising.” The move appeared aimed at discouraging other MPs from making similar visits, she said. “It’s a
form of intimidation. New Zealand is sovereign, and members of Parliament have the right to represent the communities and constituents that we do, and we have the right to travel freely around the globe. That is part of living in a free democracy.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said New Zealand would continue “trade, economic, cultural and indigenous exchanges” with Taiwan for the benefit of New Zealanders, noting that the MPs had not been representing the government. “There is a long-standing practice
of New Zealand Members of Parliament visiting Taiwan, and such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand’s One China policy,” a spokesperson said. Under the “One China” policy, New Zealand recognises Beijing’s claim on Taiwan but does not necessarily accept it. Attempt to ‘pressure’ MPs Civil liberties group PILLAR said the ban represented a serious escalation in Beijing’s efforts to influence New Zealand’s democracy. “This is not diplomacy. It is intimidation,” PILLAR executive director Nathan Seiul said. “China is attempting to pressure elected representatives, undermine
democratic decision-making, and interfere in New Zealand’s sovereign affairs. “It is a direct signal that Beijing views New Zealand as a piece on its geopolitical chessboard, just as it increasingly views the wider Pacific.” In March, the Chinese embassy in New Zealand described Taiwan as a “red line” that “must not be crossed or challenged”. “We urge all countries, including New Zealand, to earnestly honour their one-China commitment, handle Taiwan-related matters with prudence, refrain from any form of official interactions with the Taiwan region, and
send no erroneous signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”
China ban New Zealand MPs, Taiwan visit, Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb, Laura McClure, David Wilson, one-China policy, intimidation, PILLAR, MFAT