‘MPs are not ordinary citizens’: China says New Zealand should not be surprised by ban
Thursday, 4 June 2026
The Chinese Embassy says Winston Peters should not be “surprised” that four Kiwi MPs have been barred from the country after visiting Taiwan.
In a strongly worded statement the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Wellington said MPs were “not ordinary citizens”.
“MPs are not ordinary citizens. China has consistently opposed visits to China’s Taiwan region by members of the legislatures of countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including New Zealand, and this case is no exception. The New Zealand side should not be surprised,” the statement read.
Peters had earlier expressed surprise at the decision to ban the MPs as others had also visited Taiwan.
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The embassy spokesperson said the visit involved meeting with “high-ranking local political figures” and sent the wrong signals to “’Taiwan independence forces”.
“The actions of these MPs violate the one-China principle and constitute interference in China’s internal affairs.”
The new remarks come after Australia entered the fray on the side of the Kiwi MPs, with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong joining Peters in asking diplomats to express their displeasure with China directly.
“Australia supports a statement made from the Office of Minister Peters, and we add Australia’s concern over these developments,” Wong said.
“Australian officials will also make representations on this, both in Beijing and Canberra, including our view that placing pressure on parliamentarians is not appropriate.
The backbench MPs have been banned from visiting China for a year after a trip to the disputed nation of Taiwan, unless they apologise for the visit.
The four - Labour’s Duncan Webb, National’s Maureen Pugh, ACT’s Laura McClure, and NZ First’s David Wilson - took part in a five-day visit to Taiwan in May.
China did not at first publicise the ban but the Head of the Political Section at the Chinese Embassy in Wellington contacted Parliament’s Office of the Clerk about it.
In an email seen by The Post the MPs were informed that if they apologised the one-year ban would be lifted.
Speaker: Move is disappointing
Speaker Gerry Brownlee told The Post China could do what it liked, but it was disappointing.
“New Zealand MPs are elected as free and unencumbered individuals. They are free to make their own choices about where they travel,” Brownlee said.
“I find it a bit disappointing that the Chinese system doesn’t respect our political system and recognise that MPs make their own choices.”
A spokesperson for Peters said he was surprised by the ban and had asked diplomats to get further information.
“New Zealand MPs have visited Taiwan for decades and such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand’s One China policy,” a spokesman for Peters said.
“In the context of that long history, the minister was surprised to learn that China has taken a decision to, for the first time, impose travel bans on New Zealand MPs as a result of travel to Taiwan.”
“He has instructed Mfat officials in Beijing and Wellington to discuss this matter with the Chinese system, in order to express concern at this departure from past practice and to better understand it.”
Mfat: No breach of one-China policy
An Mfat statement shared by Peters’ office stressed that New Zealand’s One China Policy remained in place, as it applied to the Government - not MPs.
“While New Zealand does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, this does not preclude New Zealand from maintaining trade, economic, cultural and indigenous exchanges. We intend to continue these exchanges as they benefit the people of New Zealand and are entirely consistent with our One China policy,” the statement read.
“There is a long-standing practice of New Zealand Members of Parliament visiting Taiwan, and such visits are not inconsistent with New Zealand’s One China policy. In the New Zealand constitutional system, Members of Parliament do not represent the government. They are independent and responsible to their constituents. It is up to MPs to make individual decisions about how they respond to invitations to travel in their capacity as MPs.”
MPs unrepentant
Webb told The Post he was “disappointed but not surprised”.
“If a one-year ban from China is the price of doing my job I’ll pay it.”
He said China was not naive and was fully capable of understanding the distinction between a backbench MP and the Government.
“They would like to isolate Taiwan and bring pressure to bear on any influential person who gives them the time of day. They use that as a pretext. But they know that I and no backbench MP speaks for the Government of New Zealand.”
McClure said she had “no regrets” about visiting Taiwan and demands for an apology were “insulting”.
“New Zealand is a sovereign democracy, and it is a long-standing practice for MPs across the political spectrum to engage with fellow democracies,” McClure said.
“The Chinese Embassy's demand for an apology is frankly insulting. ACT MPs do not take instructions from foreign governments, and I will not be apologising for doing my job.”
The May visit was organised as part of the “All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan” a cross-party group launched in 2023.
A 2025 statement by the Chinese embassy expressed the one-China principle as “a universally recognised fundamental norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community”.
“It constitutes the political foundation upon which China has established and developed diplomatic relations with 183 countries, and represents a solemn political commitment made by New Zealand.
“We urge all countries, including New Zealand, to earnestly honour their one-China commitment, handle Taiwan-related matters with prudence, refrain from any form of official interactions with the Taiwan region, and send no erroneous signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces.”
Clarification: A reference to New Zealand’s One China Policy has been clarified. Story updated June 4, 9.26am.