Australians officials told Taiwan travel still ‘appropriate’ after Beijing ban on four New Zealand MPs
Penny Wong says it’s still ‘appropriate’ for officials to travel to Taiwan in the wake of China banning four New Zealand MPs following their recent cross-party delegation.
Australia’s Foreign Minister says it’s still “appropriate” for officials to travel to Taiwan in the wake of China banning four New Zealand MPs following their recent cross-party delegation.
Beijing’s sanctions extended to National’s Maureen Pugh, Labour’s Duncan Webb, ACT’s Laura McClure and NZ First’s David Wilson after their five-day visit to the democratic island in May.
After questions by Liberal Senator James Paterson in Senate Estimates about what implications the news could have for Australians, Penny Wong said it was still an “appropriate practice” for officials to travel to Taiwan.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We believe that the practice of parliamentarians continuing to travel to Taiwan is an appropriate practice,” she said.
“It is a long-standing practice for members of parliament to engage in travel to Taiwan.
“Parliamentarians from both sides of politics have done so regularly, and this is consistent with our one-China policy.”
Senator Wong, however, deferred questions about whether Beijing’s sanctions were appropriate.
“We are very close friends and partners from New Zealand. We co-ordinate with them very closely, and I would want to ensure before Australia makes a formal comment from the Foreign Minister that I have the opportunity to engage with my New Zealand counterpart,” she said.
Under Australia’s one-China policy, Australia maintains informal political connections with Taiwan but does not recognise it as a sovereign country.
The Kiwi delegation in May focused on an economic and cultural exchange through the 2023-launched parliamentary group “All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan”.
It’s understood the sanctions were initially received via email to NZ Parliament’s Office of the Clerk, who then held a meeting with the Chinese embassy, which has since said they could drop the ban if members apologise.
It’s not the first time Beijing has lashed out at New Zealand and Australian officials over previous Taiwan visits and meetings with Taiwanese officials.
In 2023, China’s ambassador Xiao Qian warned Australian MPs to think carefully before travelling to the island China claims as its own.
It came after a bipartisan group of Australian parliamentarians, which included Labor MP Josh Wilson and Coalition frontbencher Paul Fletcher, travelled to Taipei to promote co-operation.
A similar visit last year by New Zealand MPs was also criticised by the Chinese Embassy as violating the “solemn political commitments made by New Zealand to China”.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor described the sanctions as “very concerning” on Thursday.
“This should not happen and I’m sure Parliamentarians and others around Australia want reassurance from this Government that it’s not going to happen here,” Mr Taylor said.
Australia’s most recent cross-party delegation to Taiwan was held last month and included Senator Carol Brown, Dan Tehan MP, Senator Anne Ruston, Senator Helen Polley, Jason Wood MP, Leon Rebello MP, and Senator Josh Dolega.
