Wellington: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has sparked a diplomatic dispute with China following his remarks directed at Green Party lawmaker Lawrence Xu-Nan, suggesting he should "go back to your own country" during a parliamentary debate. The exchange occurred on Wednesday, centered around New Zealand's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Xu-Nan, who was born in China, questioned Peters on his vaccination status. According to TRTworld.com, Peters, the leader of the NZ First party, retorted that Xu-Nan had "come here five minutes ago" and criticized him by saying, "Go back to your own country. That's where they lie like a flatfish, but they don't lie like that here." He further added, "This is called a democracy, unlike what you're used to. Go back to where you've come from, you loudmouth." The comments drew a swift response from Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong. While Wang usually refrains from engaging in domestic political matters, he took to X on Thursday to express that "sometimes, a statement says more about the person that makes it than anything or anybody else." Peters dismissed the ambassador's criticism, suggesting it validated his stance. He emphasized that New Zealand values democracy, free speech, and rights, contrasting it with other nations that restrict these freedoms forcefully. Peters stated on X, "If that offends the pearl clutchers and the communist shills labeling it as dangerous - welcome to New Zealand." This incident is not isolated, as Peters and his NZ First party have previously faced backlash for remarks perceived as racist. Earlier this year, Deputy Prime Minister Shane Jones made controversial comments about New Zealand's free trade deal with India, while last year, both Peters and Jones were criticized for comments directed at opposition lawmakers, including telling Francisco Hernandez and Xu-Nan to "show some gratitude" for living in New Zealand.