China bans four NZ MPs for a year after Taiwan trip

China has imposed a one-year travel ban on four New Zealand lawmakers, preventing them from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau after they visited Taiwan in May. The move marks the first time Beijing has sanctioned New Zealand parliamentarians over such a visit, prompting the New Zealand government to express concern about what it calls a departure from past practice.

The affected members of parliament are Maureen Pugh of the National Party, Duncan Webb of the Labour Party, Laura McClure of the ACT Party, and David Wilson of the NZ First Party. They traveled to Taipei as part of a cross-party, five-day delegation focused on economic and cultural exchanges. Such parliamentary visits have occurred for decades, according to New Zealand officials.

A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed the government was surprised by the bans. The minister has instructed officials in Wellington and Beijing to discuss the matter with Chinese counterparts to express concern and seek clarification. The government stated the lawmakers' visit was not inconsistent with New Zealand's longstanding One China policy, under which it acknowledges Beijing's claim that Taiwan is...