The four New Zealand MPs Laura McClure, Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb and David Wilson during their visit to Taiwan.Image: AP Taiwan MOFA
June 4, 2026, 7:59 amJune 4, 2026, 7:59 am
China has imposed entry bans on New Zealand MPs for the first time, sparking concern in Wellington. The four MPs will not be allowed to enter China for a year after a visit to Taiwan, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed. He announced that he would raise the step with Chinese representatives and request clarification.
China considers the island republic of Taiwan, which has been governed democratically for decades, to be part of its national territory and rejects official contacts between other states and the leadership in Taipei. The People’s Republic wants to annex Taiwan and is threatening to use the military if this does not happen peacefully.
Like Germany, New Zealand maintains diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, but not with Taiwan. At the same time, both countries maintain economic and cultural relations with Taiwan.
The German delegation’s trip sparked criticism
There are also contacts between parliamentary groups – parliamentarians from other Western countries also regularly travel to the island. It was only in May that a delegation from the German Bundestag visited Taiwan, which also triggered sharp criticism from Beijing, but has not yet resulted in any entry bans.
New Zealand’s foreign minister was surprised by Beijing’s decision. New Zealand MPs have traveled to Taiwan many times in the past without similar consequences. Peters said he had therefore instructed Foreign Office officials in Wellington and diplomatic staff in Beijing to express to Chinese authorities the government’s concerns about this departure from previous practice.
Sanctions as a means of pressure
In the past, China has repeatedly imposed entry bans or other sanctions on foreign members of parliament and politicians. The triggers were mostly issues that Beijing viewed as interference in internal affairs. Those affected included politicians from Japan, the USA and Great Britain as well as members of the European Parliament.
Most recently, China imposed sanctions on Japanese MP Keiji Furuya. Among other things, he was banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macao. Beijing accused him of having contacts with “Taiwanese independence forces”. (nil/sda/dpa)