Why New Zealand Lawmakers Had Their Tickets to China Revoked

Four New Zealand Lawmakers Banned from Entering China for One Year after Taiwan Visit
Ban May Be Lifted if Lawmakers Apologize for Visit

The Chinese government has imposed an entry ban on New Zealand lawmakers who visited Taiwan.

On June 4, local Chinese media outlet Xin Jing Bao reported, citing a post by the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand on social networking services (SNS), that "some members of New Zealand's parliament visited Taiwan without authorization, ignoring China's serious concerns, opposition, and warnings."

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A spokesperson for the embassy stated that the actions of the New Zealand lawmakers "sent the wrong message to the Democratic Progressive Party authorities and pro-Taiwan independence forces," and criticized New Zealand media for causing malicious repercussions by reporting on the issue.

The spokesperson further emphasized, "This is a direct violation of the 'One China' principle and a clear interference in China's internal affairs." The spokesperson added, "In accordance with the laws related to the People's Republic of China, it has been decided to impose sanctions, including a ban on entry to China, on those involved." The 'One China' principle asserts that China and Taiwan are part of a single nation—'China'—and is both a political claim and a fundamental principle of international relations. Xin Jing Bao noted, "The 'One China' principle is a universal consensus in the international community and a fundamental norm in international relations," describing it as the political foundation of China-Singapore relations.

In particular, the spokesperson stated, "Lawmakers are not ordinary citizens," and stressed that "stricter standards must be applied to New Zealand parliamentarians than to the general public." China has consistently opposed lawmakers from countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including New Zealand, visiting Taiwan. The spokesperson added, "This measure is not an exception, so the New Zealand side must accept it."

It was reported that the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand notified the New Zealand parliament that the four lawmakers would be banned from visiting China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year. These four lawmakers visited Taiwan last month as part of a bipartisan delegation and met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. Chinese authorities have indicated that they may lift or ease the entry ban if the lawmakers apologize for their visit to Taiwan.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs countered by stating that New Zealand lawmakers have been visiting Taiwan for decades. They added, "Such visits do not contradict New Zealand's 'One China' policy," and stressed that "imposing an entry ban on New Zealand parliamentarians for visiting Taiwan is unprecedented."

China also imposed an entry ban in March on Japanese lawmaker Furuya Keiji of the Liberal Democratic Party, a close aide to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, for visiting Taiwan. The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Chinese measure as retaliatory.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.