New Zealand's Spy Service Labels China as "Complex Intelligence Concern"

In a recent annual threat report, New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service categorized China as a "complex intelligence concern," indicating the Pacific nation’s increased susceptibility to foreign interference. The report outlined that multiple countries, including China, were engaged in harmful activities within New Zealand, specifically highlighting the strategic and deceptive nature of China's operations.

Beijing was accused of leveraging front organizations to engage with local communities, substituting genuine and varied community perspectives with narratives that align with the ruling party's views. The report cited an instance in which a Chinese-language news outlet echoed Beijing's official stances, underscoring the hidden affiliations and funding sources of these seemingly community-driven fronts.

This candid assessment from New Zealand's intelligence service coincides with the new centre-right government's intent to realign the country's foreign policy closer to traditional Western partners, following a period of deepening economic ties with China, its largest trading partner. In March, New Zealand publicly attributed a cyberattack in 2021 to a Chinese state-sponsored entity, which Beijing staunchly denied, accusing New Zealand of being influenced by the United States. In response to the intelligence report, a spokesperson for China reiterated that the nation does not interfere in the affairs of other countries and urged New Zealand to foster a more favorable environment for bilateral relations.