Clockwise from top left: Duncan Webb, Laura McClure, Maureen Pugh and David Wilson
Dave Chamberlain, Honiara
China has imposed a one-year entry ban on four New Zealand MPs after they travelled to Taiwan, a decision one of the lawmakers says is meant to intimidate elected representatives.
The MPs – Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb, Laura McClure, and David Wilson – visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-party parliamentary trip. After they returned, they were informed that they would be barred from travelling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau for 12 months.
Chinese officials said the sanctions might be reconsidered if the MPs apologised. McClure rejected that idea, saying she would not apologise for visiting Taiwan and describing the move as an attempt to deter other MPs from making similar trips.
New Zealand’s foreign ministry said such visits are consistent with the country’s long-standing approach and do not breach the One China policy, since the MPs were not representing the government.
Rights group PILLAR also criticised the decision, calling it an effort by Beijing to pressure New Zealand politicians and interfere in the country’s democratic independence.
