Australia Criticizes China Over Ban on New Zealand Lawmakers
Australia has condemned China’s decision to bar four New Zealand members of parliament from entering the country after they visited Taiwan last month.
Australia Voices Concern After China Bars New Zealand Lawmakers Over Taiwan Trip
REPORTER:
Australia has come to its neighbor’s defense, after China banned four New Zealand lawmakers from entering the country over their visit last month to Taiwan.
Foreign minister Penny Wong says Australian officials would protest the move in both Beijing and Canberra.
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 their travel independent of government. Travel by parliamentarians to Taiwan is a longstanding and appropriate practice and consistent with our One China policy.
China’s embassy in Wellington informed New Zealand’s parliament of the entry ban, saying that it could be waived or reduced if the lawmakers apologize for their trip.
In a statement provided to TaiwanPlus, New Zealand’s foreign ministry said these visits were “not inconsistent” with the country’s One China policy – which acknowledges China’s position that there is only one Chinese government.
It also said despite not having formal ties with Taipei, lawmakers have visited Taiwan many times in the past. At least one of the lawmakers says she will not be apologizing for the trip.
BITE:
What I do think is that this is an intimidation tactic to put off future Members of Parliament traveling to Taiwan or to other countries that, potentially, you know, China might not be happy about.
BITE:
Absolutely not, I will not be apologizing for traveling to Taiwan or traveling anywhere else in the world. It's part of my job as an elected representative in New Zealand
Taiwan’s foreign ministry slammed China’s decision, calling parliamentary diplomacy a normal way for democracies to engage and strengthen cooperation. It called on China to stop interfering in Taiwan’s exchanges with others.
This is not the first time China has sought to sanction foreign lawmakers for their support of Taiwan or visits to Taipei, but this is a first for New Zealand.
It’s not clear yet whether the decision will deter future visits from New Zealand. But with Australia’s concerns over the move, it could complicate China’s relationship with both countries.
