Former Spy Minister Accuses CCP of Trying to Gain Favor with New Zealand Police Officers
A former Minister expresses concern over a recent visit by 33 police officers to China, stating that it reflects a classic attempt by the CCP to gain influence.
The group of 33 New Zealand police staff who visited China in October claim the trip was designed to enhance their cultural competency.
However, a former Minister overseeing New Zealand’s intelligence agencies cautions that the visit shows signs of a “classic effort” by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to “curry favor” with New Zealand authorities.
The trip came to light after details were shared on social media by a non-police traveler.
Chinese dissidents in New Zealand identified Auckland police Ethnic Responsiveness Manager Jessica Phuang and Ethnic Liaison Officer Constable Kevin Liang Deng in photos from the trip, labeling it as a “mega United Front event.”
The United Front Work Department is a Chinese Communist Party agency responsible for orchestrating foreign influence operations.
The acting director for partnerships in the Auckland region, Matt Tierney, clarified that the trip was self-funded, with participating staff choosing to attend and cover their own expenses.
Tierney mentioned that Phuang, a respected leader in Auckland, organized the trip, and the attendees found the experience incredibly positive and beneficial.
Police Assistant Commissioner Sam Hoyle denied any involvement from provincial governments in hosting the group.
‘Ought to be a Worry’: Ex-Spy Agency Minister
Andrew Little, the former Minister overseeing the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZ SIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), expressed concern over the trip and stressed that it should have raised alarms among senior officers.
He suggested that the visit seemed like a deliberate effort by the Chinese government to cultivate loyalty among New Zealand police officers, which he deemed troubling.
Little highlighted the sophistication of Beijing’s program to build relationships and exert influence over individuals with knowledge of New Zealand’s decision-making processes.
He also emphasized the importance of transparency within the New Zealand Police Force to maintain its integrity.
Little urged senior officers to thoroughly investigate the trip and the hospitality provided by provincial governments or Beijing to the officers.
Evidence of CCP Connections Emerges
Despite claims that the trip was unofficial and that the officers were merely tourists, photos on social media show Phuang meeting with Tang Changhua, Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.
The department reportedly engages in United Front work, and the caption suggests that Tang hosted a dinner for the police delegation.
The trip was allegedly organized by Auckland-based China Travel Service, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Travel Service Hong Kong, which some dissidents link to the CCP’s official tourism agency.
During the Hong Kong protests of 2019 to 2020, it was alleged that China Travel Service leaked protestors’ personal information to HKLeaks, a doxxing website that targeted supporters of the protest movement.
National Security Implications
News of the police trip emerges as New Zealand introduces new laws to combat foreign interference, aiming to address activities on behalf of foreign powers that are covert, deceptive, corruptive, or coercive.
The NZ Security Intelligence Service highlighted in its latest threat assessment that foreign interference poses risks to various sectors in New Zealand, specifically mentioning Beijing’s activities against the Chinese communities in the country.
