China has imposed sanctions on four New Zealand members of parliament who visited Taiwan in April, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. The MPs, from New Zealand's National and ACT parties, have been barred from entering China, including the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. The move is the latest in a series of Chinese responses to foreign political figures engaging with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province.
The Chinese foreign ministry said the decision was made to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and warned that any form of official interaction with Taiwan violates the One China principle. New Zealand's foreign minister, Winston Peters, expressed regret over the ban, stating that it was an overreaction to a legitimate parliamentary visit. Peters emphasised that New Zealand continues to recognise the One China policy but respects the rights of its parliamentarians.
Separately, the United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to the One China policy during a bilateral meeting between British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the UN General Assembly in New York. Lammy reiterated that the UK regards Taiwan as part of China and supports a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. The UK's position aligns with its longstanding policy, which has been maintained under successive governments.
The developments highlight the ongoing tension between China and Western nations over Taiwan. China has increasingly used economic and diplomatic measures to discourage foreign officials from engaging with Taipei. In recent years, several countries have faced Chinese sanctions for similar visits, including Lithuania, the United States, and Japan.
Analysts suggest that China's sanctions against New Zealand may be calibrated to deter other Pacific nations from following suit. New Zealand, a key partner in the Pacific region, has maintained a balanced approach between its economic ties with China and its security alliance with the United States. The ban could strain bilateral relations, which have been stable under the current Labour government.
The UK's reaffirmation of its One China policy is seen as an attempt to stabilise relations with Beijing ahead of a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UK next year. The new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled a pragmatic approach to China, emphasising engagement on climate change and trade while maintaining concerns over human rights and security.
China's response to the New Zealand MPs' visit follows a pattern of escalating measures against foreign politicians. In 2022, China imposed sanctions on numerous US lawmakers for visiting Taiwan, and has consistently pressured international institutions to exclude Taiwan from official participation.
The four banned New Zealand MPs include Simon Bridges, Gerry Brownlee, Mark Mitchell, and Tim van de Molen. They visited Taiwan as part of a parliamentary delegation, meeting with Taiwanese officials and discussing trade and regional security.
