New Zealand MPs Banned from China After Taiwan Visit; DPP Says It's Interference

(Central News Agency, reporters Wang Yang-yu and Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, June 5) The banning of four New Zealand MPs from entering China after their visit to Taiwan has sparked discussion. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus in the Legislative Yuan stated today that this is interference in another country's diplomacy, that China is overreaching, and that it once again reminds everyone that China is an authoritarian dictatorship.

According to New Zealand media reports, four New Zealand MPs visited Taiwan in May, after which China banned them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a period of one year. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that MPs visiting Taiwan is a routine practice and does not contradict New Zealand's One-China policy.

DPP caucus secretary-general Chuang Jui-hsiung and secretary Fan Yun held a press conference in front of the Legislative Yuan today. Fan Yun said that China's infamous cross-border or transnational repression is not only targeting DPP legislator Shen Po-yang. Now, simply because New Zealand MPs are friendly towards Taiwan and visited Taiwan, China is demanding an apology across borders. This is outright interference in another country's diplomacy, as this falls within New Zealand's sovereign rights. She added that this once again reminds everyone that China is an authoritarian dictatorship.

When asked by the media about the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre yesterday, and that former Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu mentioned that some wounds are covered by time and some memories are deliberately forgotten, but the true value of history lies not in remembering hatred but in preserving lessons, while KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen did not speak out on the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident.

Fan Yun pointed out that it is fortunate that there are still dissenting voices within the KMT. If all KMT members were like Cheng Li-wen, afraid to speak out for Tiananmen, shaking hands with dictators, advocating for One China, and also advocating for One China in the US, the KMT might become a party with no support in Taiwan.

Fan Yun also mentioned reports that the KMT has submitted a proposal to the Democracy Foundation to apply for funding for Cheng Li-wen's visit to the US. As a board member of the Democracy Foundation, she said she will absolutely continue to supervise this.

Additionally, regarding the Cross-Strait Forum, scheduled to be held in Xiamen on June 13, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced yesterday a ban on central government agencies, local government officials, and public servants from participating in Cross-Strait Forum-related activities. Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that the purpose of the Cross-Strait Forum is to promote unification and eliminate the Republic of China, and such a forum is not worth attending. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150605