New Zealand is set to voice concerns to China following the barring of four of its lawmakers from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This move comes after the lawmakers visited Taiwan last month, representing both governing and opposition parties. According to New Zealand officials, such parliamentary visits to Taiwan have been a routine part of their diplomatic engagements for decades and align with the nation’s adherence to the One China policy.
The New Zealand government expressed surprise over China’s decision, with a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters indicating that diplomatic channels have been tasked with seeking clarification from Beijing. The government also conveyed its concerns regarding the travel restrictions imposed on its parliamentarians.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized the restrictions as retaliatory, asserting that China lacks the authority to meddle in interactions between Taiwan and foreign lawmakers. The ministry highlighted that parliamentary diplomacy is a standard practice among democratic countries, suggesting that such exchanges should not be hindered.
China, on the other hand, justified its stance by emphasizing its opposition to visits to Taiwan by legislators from nations that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing. Chinese authorities argued that lawmakers are distinct from ordinary citizens and that their visits could be perceived as conflicting with China’s stance on Taiwan.
This issue has introduced a strain in the otherwise stable relations between New Zealand and China, which have maintained robust trade links despite growing disagreements over regional security and matters related to Taiwan.