China’s embassy hits back at foreign interference claims, warns journalists not to investigate further

Tuesday, 25 June 2024

A Stuff Circuit investigation reveals decades of foreign interference by China in New Zealand.

The Embassy of China has hit out against Stuff Circuit for its investigation into foreign interference.

The embassy warned that New Zealand’s interests could be “harmed” if the “narrative” of foreign interference continued.

A Stuff spokesperson said the news company stood by its reporting.

The Embassy of China has dismissed allegations of foreign interference, through a statement which ends with a warning that ongoing coverage of this issue could “harm” New Zealand.

China-New Zealand expert Professor Anne-Marie Brady said the statement finished with a clear “threat” against New Zealand, in an attempt by China’s Government to silence critics, officials and journalists.

The embassy issued the 700-word statement on Monday night, in response to the Stuff Circuit documentary The Long Game.

That documentary, and subsequent reporting, spoke to Chinese New Zealanders who said they had been assaulted and intimidated in a coordinated Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence campaign.

Foreign Minister keeps arm’s length

In response, Foreign Minister Winston Peters avoided pushing against China’s commentary but appeared to endorse the documentary. While Labour foreign affairs spokesperson David Parker said it was important to investigate undue influence “in a free country”.

Peters told Stuff this was “between you and the Chinese embassy”, but said the investigation had been “unusually competent” and was “worth reading and listening to”.

“That’s all I can say. You’re having an argument with a foreign Government now, aren’t you… Nothing to do with me,” Peters said.

Parker said he had been concerned by pressure placed on diaspora Chinese communities, but was also concerned by other nations’ foreign interference.

The Long Game, by Stuff Circuit, investigates CCP influence in New Zealand.

“I would ignore those threats, if they are to be taken as threats,” he said.

“I certainly believe it is the role of New Zealand to investigate issues that are serious, and that it's a very important role of the fourth estate to bring those matters to light.”

Embassy refuses to answer questions

The Long Game included an interview with former Intelligence Minister Andrew Little, who echoed concerns of the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), that China was actively trying to influence New Zealand through coercive and illegal means.

Stuff Circuit said the embassy declined repeated interview requests to respond to The Long Game.

That documentary was released on the same day Chinese Premier Li Qiang was visiting Wellington. While in Wellington, Stuff attempted to get his response - but he ignored questions from reporters.

While the embassy’s Monday night statement included two proverbs, it did not directly address any of the allegations made in The Long Game.

China’s ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong, has refused to answer questions about foreign interference.

Stuff’s subsequent attempts to get further comment from ambassador Wang Xiaolong were also ignored.

His 700 word statement said the investigations featured “baseless slander and misinformation on China”.

“They falsely accuse China of interfering in New Zealand's internal affairs, exporting ideology, and even engaging in violent illegal activities. The content is not better than, as people say in China, trying to chase the wind and catch the shadows,” the statement said.

A Stuff Group spokesman defended The Long Game.

“Stuff stands by the robust and thorough reporting, uncovered over two years by a team of New Zealand’s most experienced journalists,” the spokesman said.

He said Stuff Circuit had spoken to credible sources, including Little, Chinese New Zealanders impacted by the foreign interference campaigns, and SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton.

Professor Anne-Marie Brady spoke to Stuff Circuit for The Long Game.

Statement “a threat”

The PRC embassy statement warned New Zealand media not to continue investigating claims of foreign interference.

It finished with the comment: “We advise those with malicious intent that the so-called 'China interference in internal affairs' narrative should cease, as it will ultimately harm the interests of New Zealand, and they will end up lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet.”

Stuff asked the embassy what it meant by that, and put it to them that this had been interpreted as “a threat”. But there has been no reply.

Brady, from the University of Canterbury, said the statement included “a threat” designed to suppress criticism of China’s government.

“It is a bullying letter, following the tone of many recent public statements of the PRC ambassador to New Zealand, all aimed at trying to dictate New Zealand’s foreign policy choices,” she said.

Freeman Yu, a pro-democracy campaigner, accused China of foreign interference.

“These PRC embassy's remarks shows that PRC diplomats do not understand freedom of the press and freedom of speech at all, nor do PRC diplomats understand what is meant by the fact that there is a rigorous and numerous body of evidence proving China's interference in New Zealand.”

Following the embassy’s rebuke on Monday, Stuff asked the ambassador why he denied interview requests and if there was any evidence to refute claims of foreign interference. There has been no response.