'Concerned': Australia to protest over China banning NZ MPs

Australia and New Zealand are preparing to lodge formal protests with China following Beijing's imposition of an unprecedented travel ban on four New Zealand Members of Parliament. The MPs, from the National, Labour, NZ First, and ACT parties, visited Taiwan in May as part of a cross-parliamentary group.

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In the context of that long history, the minister was surprised to learn that China has taken a decision to, for the first time, impose travel bans on New Zealand MPs as a result of travel to Taiwan.

China has not publicly commented on the visits, but its embassy in New Zealand reportedly informed the Parliament that the four MPs would be denied entry to China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year. Sources suggest the ban could be lifted or reduced if the MPs issue an apology. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed surprise at the move, given the long-standing unofficial ties between New Zealand and Taiwan. A spokesperson for Peters stated that such visits have occurred for decades and are consistent with New Zealand's One China policy.

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Australian officials will also make representations on this, both in Beijing and Canberra, including our view that placing pressure on parliamentarians is not appropriate.

Under its One China policy, New Zealand acknowledges Beijing's claim as the sole government of China while maintaining unofficial trade and cultural relations with Taipei. Taiwan is New Zealand's eighth-largest export market, while China is its largest trading partner. "In the context of that long history, the minister was surprised to learn that China has taken a decision to, for the first time, impose travel bans on New Zealand MPs as a result of travel to Taiwan," the spokesperson said.

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We agree with the principle expressed by New Zealand that members of parliament, including the Australian parliament, are free to make their own decisions about travel.

Australian officials will also make representations to China regarding the ban. Senator Penny Wong described the move as "not appropriate" and stated that Australia shares New Zealand's view that parliamentarians should be free to make their own travel decisions. One of the affected MPs, Laura McClure, called the ban "concerning" and "unsettling," suggesting it could be an intimidation tactic to deter future parliamentary visits to Taiwan.

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I think it is an intimidation tactic, or a deterrent, to try and put off other or future members of parliament from travelling to Taiwan.