New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters told a Chinese-born opposition lawmaker to “go back to your own country” during a parliamentary debate, sparking domestic criticism and a rare response from China’s envoy. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the remark “inappropriate attention-seeking,” and former Prime Minister Helen Clark also condemned Peters. The incident occurred on Wednesday in Wellington, adding an international dimension to a contentious debate over governance and race relations. China’s ambassador to New Zealand issued a social media response, marking an unusual intervention from Beijing. The lawmaker, who was born in China, was the target of Peters’ comment amid a parliamentary discussion. The remark has drawn widespread censure within New Zealand and raised diplomatic tensions. Luxon’s office confirmed that the prime minister considered the statement inappropriate, while Clark joined the criticism, underscoring the bipartisan disapproval. The Chinese envoy’s reply highlighted the sensitivity of the issue, though the exact wording of the response was not detailed in the reports. The event has reignited debate about race and belonging in the South Pacific nation.