China bans four New Zealand lawmakers from entering its territory

JAKARTA - China has banned four New Zealand parliamentarians from entering its territory after they visited Taiwan, Radio New Zealand reported, Thursday (4/6).

The ban applies to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, following their participation in a cross-party delegation that visited Taiwan for five days in May.

The Clerk of the New Zealand Parliament informed Maureen Pugh of the National Party, Duncan Webb of the Labor Party, Laura McClure of ACT, and David Wilson of NZ First, that the Chinese authorities had imposed a one-year entry ban.

According to the report, the Chinese Embassy stated that the sanctions could be reduced or lifted if the members of parliament apologized.

However, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that his country would continue to "trade, economic, cultural and indigenous exchanges" with Taiwan in the interests of New Zealanders.

The ministry also emphasized that the four members of parliament did not represent the government when they visited Taiwan.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has instructed officials to raise the issue in talks with the Chinese side as well as express concern over the travel ban imposed.

"In the context of this long-standing relationship, the minister was surprised to learn that China had made the decision to, for the first time, impose a travel ban on New Zealand parliamentarians as a result of a visit to Taiwan," Peters' spokesman said in a statement.

He added that for more than half a century, New Zealand has maintained the One China policy.

"New Zealand parliamentarians have visited Taiwan for decades and such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand's One China policy," the spokesperson said.