TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Legislators have the right to decide how they interact with Taiwan, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Monday (June 3) after threats from China.

A delegation of two lawmakers from the Labor Party and three from the Liberal Party attended the May 20 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), per CNA. The trip took place despite Chinese warnings that Australian politicians should not take part in activities by Taiwanese marking the inauguration.

Questioned about the Chinese threats at a Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Committee budget session Monday, Wong said foreign governments did not have the right to interfere with how members of parliament interacted with Taiwan. They could also freely contact the Taiwanese community in Australia, she said. Wong noted that legislators from both main parties in the country had traveled to Taiwan before.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Minister Elly Lawson told lawmakers the ministry had expressed its concern about the interference to the Chinese embassy on May 29. The first mention by China of the Australian visit to Taiwan occurred on May 14.

Wong added the government had closely monitored China’s military drills surrounding Taiwan in the days following the inauguration. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait corresponded to the interests of all sides, the minister said.