China has imposed entry bans on three New Zealand parliamentarians following their visit to Taiwan, a move that the UK Foreign Office has labelled “blatant coercion”. The sanctioned MPs include Simon O’Connor, Jenny Marcroft, and Alfred Ngaro, all of whom travelled to Taipei in recent weeks for meetings with their Taiwanese counterparts. Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the bans on Thursday, citing violations of the One-China principle.
In a statement, the ministry said the individuals had “severely interfered in China’s internal affairs and undermined the political foundation of China-New Zealand relations”. The New Zealand government has expressed regret over the escalation. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the bans were “disproportionate” but reaffirmed Wellington’s commitment to the One-China policy.
However, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued a stronger rebuke. A spokesperson said the bans represented “an unacceptable attempt to coerce a sovereign state”. The row comes amid heightened tensions over Taiwan’s international engagements.
China claims the island as a breakaway province and opposes any official exchanges with foreign governments. New Zealand maintains diplomatic relations with Beijing but has faced domestic pressure to strengthen ties with Taipei. The banned MPs have defended their visit as routine parliamentary diplomacy.
O’Connor, a National Party MP, said the move was “an affront to democratic values”. The incident underscores the growing friction between China and Western nations over Taiwan, with the UK increasingly vocal in its criticism of Beijing’s assertiveness.
