China Bans NZ MPs for 1 Year After Taiwan Visit

Thairath•International•23d ago

Reader Briefing

China has imposed a one-year entry ban on four Members of Parliament from New Zealand following their delegation visit to Taiwan in May.

•Four New Zealand MPs have been banned from entering China for one year.
•The ban is a consequence of their participation in a delegation that visited Taiwan in May.
•New Zealand maintains its 'One China' policy but emphasizes continued engagement with Taiwan on trade and culture.
•Taiwan has condemned the ban, asserting China's lack of authority to interfere in international interactions.

Overview

•China has imposed entry bans on four New Zealand MPs, resulting in a one-year restriction.
•The bans were imposed due to the MPs' participation in a delegation that visited Taiwan in May.
•The visit to Taiwan by the New Zealand MPs occurred in May.
•China's action constitutes a first-time measure against New Zealand politicians, leading to New Zealand expressing concern.
•New Zealand affirms adherence to the 'One China' policy since 1972 but intends to maintain trade, economic, and cultural exchanges with Taiwan.
•Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement to "strongly condemn" the ban, asserting China has no right to interfere with Taiwan's international interactions.
•Laura McArthur, an MP from the ACT party, stated she will not apologize, emphasizing freedom of travel in a democracy and calling the ban foreign interference.
•The ban impacts four specific New Zealand MPs, including Maureen Pugh, David Wilson, Laura McArthur, and Duncan Webb, affecting their ability to travel to China.

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Key Quotes

Laura McArthur

"We live in a free democracy. MPs have the right to travel freely around the world. This is a form of foreign interference, and I will not apologize for visiting Taiwan."

เราอาศัยอยู่ในระบอบประชาธิปไตยที่เสรี สส. มีสิทธิที่จะเดินทางอย่างอิสระไปทั่วโลก นี่คือรูปแบบหนึ่งของการแทรกแซงจากต่างชาติ และฉันจะไม่ขอโทษที่เดินทางเยือนไต้หวัน

Duncan Webb

"Although not unexpected given the increasingly tense global situation, it is indeed 'very disappointing'."

แม้จะไม่เหนือความคาดหมายเนื่องจากสถานการณ์โลกที่ตึงเครียดขึ้น แต่นับว่าเป็นเรื่องที่ "น่าผิดหวัง" อย่างยิ่ง

Key Entities

Place

China(จีน)ℹ️

Country imposing entry bans on New Zealand MPs.

New Zealand(นิวซีแลนด์)ℹ️

Country whose MPs have been banned from entering China.

Taiwan(ไต้หวัน)ℹ️

Location visited by New Zealand MPs, leading to China's sanctions.

Person

4 New Zealand MPs(สส. นิวซีแลนด์ 4 คน)

Individuals banned from entering China for one year.

Maureen Pugh(มอรีน พิวจ์)

One of the New Zealand MPs banned from entering China.

David Wilson(เดวิด วิลสัน)

One of the New Zealand MPs banned from entering China.

Laura McArthur(ลอร่า แมคคลัวร์)

One of the New Zealand MPs banned from entering China, who stated she would not apologize.

Duncan Webb(ดันแคน เวบบ์)

One of the New Zealand MPs banned from entering China, who received a prior warning from the Chinese embassy.

Winston Peters(นายวินสตัน ปีเตอร์ส)ℹ️

New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Lin Chia-lung(นายหลิน เจียหลง)ℹ️

Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Nancy Pelosi(แนนซี เพโลซี)ℹ️

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, previously sanctioned by China in 2022.

Organization

Ruling coalition parties(พรรคร่วมรัฐบาล)

Political parties in New Zealand from which some of the banned MPs originate.

Labour Party(พรรคแรงงาน)ℹ️

Opposition party in New Zealand, from which MP Duncan Webb originates.

Chinese Embassy in Wellington(สถานเอกอัครราชทูตจีนประจำกรุงเวลลิงตัน)

Chinese diplomatic mission that informed about potential leniency for the entry ban.

ACT Party(พรรค ACT)ℹ️

Political party in New Zealand, from which MP Laura McArthur originates.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศนิวซีแลนด์)

Government body that disclosed the entry ban on New Zealand MPs.

Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศไต้หวัน)

Government body that issued a strong condemnation of China's entry ban.

Separatist forces seeking Taiwan's independence(กองกำลังแบ่งแยกดินแดนที่ต้องการเอกราชของไต้หวัน)

Group that China accuses New Zealand politicians of colluding with.

Law

"One China" policy(นโยบาย "จีนเดียว")ℹ️

Policy adhered to by New Zealand, recognizing the PRC government and not having official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.