New Zealand Flags Chinese Espionage As 'Complex Intelligence Concern'
Notice Comes Amid Escalating Global Tensions
Overt Operator
August 15, 2023
In a significant development that has captured global attention, New Zealand's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) has published a report naming Chinese spying and influence operations as a "complex intelligence concern."
The report, titled "New Zealand's Security Threat Environment 2023," raises alarm over foreign interference, drawing attention to not only China but also Russia and Iran as main culprits.
China's Increasing Infiltration and Influence Operations
The report comes at a time when worldwide scrutiny over Chinese infiltration and influence operations, including "long-arm" law enforcement, has reached fever pitch. According to the report, ethnic minority communities in New Zealand, especially the ethnic Chinese, are increasingly targeted by groups and individuals linked to China's intelligence services.
Foreign spies are also focusing on companies, research institutions, and government contractors, with aims to steal a wide range of information, including military capabilities, sensitive intellectual property, and personal data.
An Unprecedented Acknowledgment of Foreign Interference
The SIS's public acknowledgment of Chinese interference marks a significant shift in New Zealand's foreign policy. Anne-Marie Brady, a well-known professor of political science at the University of Canterbury, regards the report as a sign of mature and confident foreign policy. She has expressed that the government's stance represents "a turning point in NZ-China relations."
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its outreach and influence arm, the United Front Work Department, have been on the radar of New Zealand authorities for some time. But the recent SIS report is among the first official documents to publicly identify the CCP as a potential threat to the nation's security and interests.
Growing International Concern and Reaction
New Zealand's public stance on Chinese interference echoes broader global concerns. Governments around the world have started investigations into Chinese police "service stations" operating on foreign soil. Activists and dissidents have also been vocal about threats and retaliation by state security police or pro-China business people overseas.
The situation in New Zealand, as described by New Zealand-based dissident Xing Jian, is particularly concerning. He has highlighted that the country has a significant concentration of pro-Beijing individuals, with nationalists engaging in activities run by the Chinese consulate, and monitoring expatriate Chinese.
The Road Ahead: Calls For Legislation To Protect Democracy
New Zealand's report on Chinese spying and influence operations is prompting calls for new laws to safeguard the country's democracy against foreign interference. The realization that foreign states are conducting malicious activities designed to disrupt the peaceful lives of residents in New Zealand is likely to galvanize lawmakers into action.
The nuances of New Zealand's relationship with China, including trade and cooperation on climate change, are now fraught with risk. As differences grow starker, the urgency for legal measures to address this complex intelligence concern escalates.
A Global Spotlight on a Delicate Issue
New Zealand's stance on Chinese espionage, as outlined in the SIS report, casts a spotlight on a complex and delicate issue. It illustrates the intricate balance nations must strike in handling relationships with powerful countries like China, while protecting their security and democratic values.