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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

China Denies Espionage and Interference Allegations by New Zealand Spy Agency

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • China has vehemently denied accusations of espionage and foreign interference in New Zealand, as reported by New Zealand's top spy agency.
  • The Chinese Embassy called the report's allegations baseless and fabricated, stating they smear normal exchanges and cooperation.
  • The embassy suggested the report's release timing might be linked to international anti-China campaigns, warning against sacrificing bilateral relations for selfish gain.

China has strongly refuted claims made by New Zealand's top spy agency, labeling them as "false allegations" and "baseless fabrications." The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) stated in its fourth Security Threat Environment report that China is the only nation engaged in espionage in New Zealand "at scale" and remains the "most active" in foreign interference activities.

Its false allegations against China either smear normal exchanges and cooperation as so-called espionage or interference, or are entirely groundless and fabricated out of thin air.

— Chinese EmbassyResponding to the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service report.

In a pointed statement, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand asserted that the NZSIS report misrepresents normal exchanges and cooperation as espionage or interference. The embassy declared its firm opposition to the report and its refusal to accept its findings. It emphasized that the China-New Zealand relationship is built on mutual benefit, with significant progress in trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges in recent years.

We firmly oppose this and will never accept it.

— Chinese EmbassyStating their position on the NZSIS report's findings.

The embassy suggested that the timing of the report's release was not coincidental, implying it could be part of a broader international campaign orchestrated by "certain international forces" to slander China. It warned that such actions could be a product of foreign interference aimed at undermining the trust and relationship between the two countries.

That this report is released at this particular juncture is no coincidence, it forms part of a new wave of attacks, slander and vilification against China orchestrated by certain international forces, and may well itself be a product of foreign interference.

— Chinese EmbassySuggesting the report's timing is politically motivated.

"Serving as a pawn for anti-China forces will ultimately backfire," the embassy stated, urging those attempting political machinations not to jeopardize the hard-won, mutually beneficial relationship for personal gain. It cautioned that manufacturing distractions in foreign relations would be counterproductive and would not resolve New Zealand's domestic issues. The embassy concluded by reiterating China's value for its relationship with New Zealand and its readiness to advance exchanges and cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.

Serving as a pawn for anti-China forces will ultimately backfire.

— Chinese EmbassyWarning against actions detrimental to China-New Zealand relations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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