Four New Zealand Lawmakers Banned From China After Taiwan Trip
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Four New Zealand lawmakers have been banned from traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year following their visit to Taiwan, marking the first time such a restriction has been imposed.
- The lawmakers, part of a cross-party group established in 2023 to maintain Taiwan-New Zealand relations, visited Taipei for five days in May.
- New Zealand officials expressed surprise at China's decision, noting that visits to Taiwan by lawmakers had occurred without issue for years.
- Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned China’s retaliatory travel ban, accusing Beijing of interfering in Taiwan’s affairs.
- The move reflects China's increasing efforts to isolate Taiwan, which it claims as its territory, and signals tensions with New Zealand, China’s largest trading partner.