Four New Zealand MPs who visited Taiwan last month have been banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a year.

National's Maureen Pugh, Labour's Duncan Webb, ACT's Laura McClure and NZ First's David Wilson were visiting as part of a cross-party Parliamentary group to improve relations with Taiwan.

The Chinese embassy has said the ban could be reduced or waived with an apology.

It’s the first time China has imposed such a move-- so does this mark a turning point in China–New Zealand relations, or is it a targeted, symbolic strike that won’t fundamentally change anything?

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Contemporary China Research Centre director Jason Young is with us to unpack what’s behind China’s decision, why it happened now, and what the backlash could mean for our future relationship with Beijing.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

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