MBABANE – China has imposed a one-year travel ban on four New Zealand Members of Parliament (MPs) after they visited Taiwan, marking the first time Beijing has taken such action against New Zealand lawmakers over a trip to the self-governed island.
According to the BBC, the four MPs – Maureen Pugh, David Wilson, Laura McClure and Duncan Webb – were informed of the ban upon their return from Taiwan in May. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand reportedly indicated that the sanctions could be reduced or waived if the lawmakers issued an apology.
The move has sparked concern in New Zealand, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressing surprise at what officials described as a departure from previous practice.
A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the BBC that parliamentary visits to Taiwan had occurred for decades and were not inconsistent with New Zealand’s “One China” policy.
“New Zealand MPs have visited Taiwan for decades and such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand’s One China policy,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official engagements between Taiwan and foreign governments or politicians. Beijing has increasingly sought to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and limit its participation in international affairs.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said the lawmakers had disregarded China’s concerns and sent “wrong signals” to what it called “Taiwan independence forces”.
“The visit constituted interference in China’s internal affairs,” the embassy said.
One of the sanctioned lawmakers, Laura McClure of the ACT Party, rejected the demand for an apology, describing the travel ban as a form of foreign interference.
“I’m not going to apologise for visiting Taiwan,” she told New Zealand media, adding that MPs in democratic countries should be free to travel and engage internationally.
The incident comes amid growing tensions between China and Taiwan, with Beijing having previously sanctioned politicians from other countries, including the United States, for visits to the island.
The dispute also carries significance for Eswatini, which remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa. While most African countries recognise Beijing, Eswatini has maintained formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan despite sustained pressure from China.
Taiwan currently has formal diplomatic relations with only 12 countries worldwide, with Eswatini standing as the sole African nation to recognise Taipei instead of Beijing.
The issue gained renewed attention in May when Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini. The trip followed allegations by Taiwanese officials that China had pressured several African and Indian Ocean states to deny overflight permissions for his aircraft, forcing the postponement of an earlier planned visit.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung later referenced the challenges surrounding President Lai’s visit to Eswatini while welcoming the New Zealand parliamentary delegation to Taiwan.
According to the BBC, Lin said President Lai’s recent visit to Eswatini had once again highlighted the diplomatic challenges facing Taiwan. He added that the visit by the New Zealand MPs demonstrated support for Taiwan and strengthened ties between Taiwan and New Zealand.
President Lai’s visit to Eswatini was his first trip to the kingdom since assuming office and coincided with celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne. Taiwan described the visit as an important demonstration of the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
The latest sanctions against the New Zealand lawmakers are likely to add to growing international scrutiny over Beijing’s efforts to influence how foreign governments and politicians engage with Taiwan, an issue that continues to resonate in Eswatini because of its unique position as Taipei’s last remaining ally on the African continent.
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