China Bars 4 New Zealand Lawmakers for 1 Year After Taiwan Visit
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 4
China Bars 4 New Zealand Lawmakers for 1 Year After Taiwan Visit
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 4
Summary
Four New Zealand lawmakers were barred for one year from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau after a five-day trip to Taipei in May.
The group — Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb, Laura McClure and David Wilson — traveled as part of a cross-party caucus formed in 2023 to maintain New Zealand-Taiwan relations.
Wellington said it was surprised because New Zealand lawmakers had visited Taiwan for years without repercussions, making this the first such ban imposed on its MPs.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry condemned the move as retaliation and interference, while the episode signaled a tougher Chinese effort to deter foreign political engagement with Taiwan.