China imposes travel ban on New Zealand lawmakers over Taiwan trip
China's Foreign Ministry has announced an entry ban on two New Zealand parliamentarians who visited Taiwan. Wellington called the move 'disproportionate.'
Nikkei Asia · Staff WriterChina's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced at a briefing that Green Party MP Steve Abel and ACT Party MP Brooke van Velden of New Zealand, who visited Taiwan last month as a parliamentary delegation, have been banned from entering China. Lin said: 'The visit constitutes a clear violation of the One-China principle.'
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement: 'The decision is disproportionate and contrary to parliamentary immunity; the opposition and our government will respond jointly.' Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said: 'Taiwan continues its solidarity with democracies; we reject pressure strategies.'
Victoria University China expert Jason Young assessed: 'The decision coincides with New Zealand's AUKUS Pillar 2 talks; it is Beijing's objection signal.' ANU analyst Bates Gill said: 'The position of Five Eyes countries will be evaluated in the coming weeks.' China's Consular Service will publish the formal list in coming days. Procedural framing only.
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