The Chinese Embassy has dismissed a report from New Zealand’s premier intelligence agency, which it claims contains numerous “false accusations against China.”
In its latest Security Threat Environment report, released on Thursday, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) identified China as the only country engaged in widespread espionage activities within New Zealand.
The report further indicated that China is the “most active” nation among various countries implicated in foreign interference in New Zealand.
In a statement issued today, the Chinese Embassy refuted the claims made in the NZSIS report, labeling them as unfounded and fabricated.
“The false accusations against China either distort legitimate exchanges and cooperation into so-called espionage or are entirely baseless and concocted,” the statement read.
“We strongly oppose this and will never accept such claims.”
The embassy emphasized that the relationship between China and New Zealand is mutually beneficial, highlighting advancements in areas like trade, cultural exchanges, tourism, and international education in recent years.
It noted that the Chinese community in New Zealand has contributed positively to this relationship.
Since China introduced a visa-free policy for New Zealand travelers, there has been a notable increase in the number of New Zealand citizens visiting China, alongside growing goodwill and support for strengthening bilateral relations, according to the embassy.
“The timing of this report is no coincidence; it is part of a broader campaign of attacks, defamation, and vilification against China orchestrated by certain international entities, and could itself be influenced by foreign interference,” the statement asserted.
The embassy accused “anti-China forces” of attempting to create divisions between the two nations’ peoples, fostering a chilling effect on public sentiment, undermining mutual trust, and hindering the relationship’s growth.
“Our warning to those involved in such political maneuvers is clear: do not jeopardize the hard-earned, mutually advantageous relationship between China and New Zealand for personal gain, nor act against the interests of New Zealand and its citizens,” the embassy cautioned.
“Being used as a tool by anti-China forces will ultimately result in negative consequences.”
“Creating distractions in foreign relations will not resolve New Zealand’s own challenges; it will only prove detrimental.”
The embassy urged those individuals and groups to reconsider their actions, advising them not to harm their own interests in pursuit of misguided agendas.
Furthermore, the embassy reiterated its commitment to valuing the China-New Zealand relationship and expressed its readiness to collaborate with New Zealand to enhance exchanges and cooperation for the benefit of both nations’ peoples.
This report was initially published on rnz.co.nz.
