China has accused New Zealand’s top intelligence official of spreading ‘misleading information’

On Thursday, China‘s embassy in New Zealand accused the country’s top intelligence official of dishonesty after he raised concerns about the security threats associated with Beijing’s increasing influence in the Pacific region.

During a speech in Wellington last week, Andrew Hampton, the Director-General of New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service, indicated that the focus of Pacific nations on economic and transnational crime issues has facilitated China’s ability to forge strategic agreements that intertwine economic and security cooperation.

The Chinese embassy in Wellington responded, stating, “The comments made are completely unfounded, entirely fabricated, and serve only to disseminate misinformation.” They further remarked, “To someone wielding a hammer, everything appears to be a nail.”

In recent years, Beijing has established agreements with several Pacific nations, raising concerns for New Zealand, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.

Hampton previously noted that China aims to “develop competing regional frameworks and enhance its influence over Pacific Island countries,” which could lead to risks of foreign interference and espionage.

The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation in free association with New Zealand, has become a focal point of the escalating tensions between China and New Zealand.

In February, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown visited China and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a move that displeased Wellington due to the perceived lack of consultation and transparency regarding Brown’s trip.

The Chinese statement emphasized that relevant cooperation documents have been made available to the public, asserting that there is no “hidden agenda” in China’s dealings with the Cook Islands.

Additionally, the Chinese embassy in Wellington is responsible for managing diplomatic relations with the island nations of Niue and the Cook Islands.