SYDNEY – New Zealand’s spy service warned Thursday that China is the most active power engaging in foreign interference in the country, including through front organizations.
New Zealand faces the “most challenging national security environment of recent times”, the country’s intelligence agency said in an annual risk assessment.
Key drivers of the deteriorating threat environment were less stable relationships between states, deepening polarization and growing grievances.
Though several states seek to manipulate New Zealand’s government and society, China remains the “most active”, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service said.
The spy agency specifically accused China’s United Front Work Department of engaging in foreign interference to build influence outside of China.
Not all of its activity amounted to foreign interference, and some could be beneficial, it said.
“However, its activities are regularly deceptive, coercive and corruptive and come with risks for New Zealand organizations.”
The agency cautioned New Zealand businesses that under China’s national security legislation, individuals and organizations in China must comply with requests from the country’s security services.
The Indo-Pacific region is a focal point for strategic competition between powers, the security service said.
China is a “particularly assertive and powerful actor”, seeking to extend and embed its influence across the region, the report said.
