Beijing’s ban on NZ MPs is a calibration test – will democracies pass it? | Lowy Institute
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Beijing’s ban on NZ MPs is a calibration test – will democracies pass it? | Lowy Institute
New Zealand-focused diplomacy and democratic resilience are being tested by China’s unprecedented ban on four NZ MPs, signaling Beijing’s use of calibrated coercion to influence Taiwan diplomacy and deter perceived foreign interference. The piece views the move as a measurement tool to gauge how democracies respond to coercive pressure, with a broader pattern: China alternates between accommodation and pressure to keep middle powers neutral on Taiwan.
Key takeaways:
- China
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