The four New Zealand MPs pictured in Taiwan. The delegation was led by National Party MP Maureen Pugh (third from left) and Labour Party MP Duncan Webb (third from right). Other participants were ACT Party MP Laura McClure (second from right) and NZ First Party MP David Wilson (second from left). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China
Australia has backed New Zealand after China imposed sanctions on four New Zealand MPs who travelled to Taiwan, banning them from visiting China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a year.
The MPs, ACT party’s Laura McClure, NZ First’s David Wilson, Labour’s Duncan Webb, and National’s Maureen Pugh, visited Taiwan in May. After they returned, they were informed by the Chinese Embassy in Wellington that they would be barred from entering China unless they issued an apology, which none have done.
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
