China bans four New Zealand MPs from entering the country, accusing them of interfering in internal affairs

The Beijing government said on Thursday (June 4) that it would impose a one-year ban on entry to four New Zealand lawmakers, accusing them of interfering in China's internal affairs by visiting Taiwan in May this year and holding talks with officials there.

The Chinese Embassy in Wellington stated that this group of MPs ignored Beijing's repeated warnings and insisted on visiting Taiwan, and met with Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Meiqin during the visit.

A spokesman for the embassy said, "The actions of these congressmen violate the 'One China' principle and constitute interference in China's internal affairs." "Anyone who crosses the red line on the Taiwan issue will face consequences."

According to a report by Radio New Zealand, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand also stated that if the relevant parliamentarian apologizes, the ban will be lifted.

Two of the lawmakers contacted by The Associated Press on Thursday rejected Beijing's demands for an apology.

China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, and New Zealand is the first Western country to sign a free trade agreement with Beijing. China announced the ban despite generally good relations between Wellington and Beijing in recent years. China emphasizes that Taiwan is part of China and opposes any country establishing official ties with Taiwan.

New Zealand MPs have visited Taiwan for decades

The New Zealand government said it would express concerns about the travel ban to Beijing.

A spokesman for the office of New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the MPs' visit did not violate the government's position on the Taiwan issue and that New Zealand has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan. "New Zealand MPs can decide independently from the government whether to accept invitations to visit overseas."

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that even though Wellington does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, this does not prevent New Zealand and Taiwan from maintaining trade, economic, cultural and indigenous exchanges. Moreover, New Zealand parliamentarians have been making such visits to Taiwan for decades.

"We plan to continue these exchanges as they benefit the people of New Zealand and are fully consistent with our 'One China' policy," the ministry said.

The congressmen who visited Taiwan are members of New Zealand's "Cross-Party Taiwan Parliamentary Group", which was established in March 2023 with the stated goal of improving bilateral relations with Taiwan.

The Wellington government said Beijing had previously issued sanctions against lawmakers from other countries for contact with Taiwan, but this was the first time it had targeted New Zealand lawmakers.