China’s top counter-espionage agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), has criticized New Zealand for alleged “harassment and intimidation” of Chinese nationals, following the release of a security threat report labeling China as a “complex intelligence concern”. The MSS condemned New Zealand for unfounded claims and cited ideological bias and a cold war mentality as damaging to bilateral relations.
The MSS stated, “The harassment and intimidation faced by Chinese citizens in New Zealand is deeply malicious and unacceptable,” on its WeChat account. This criticism comes after a diplomatic complaint from Beijing to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Chinese embassy reported instances of Chinese nationals being harassed and intimidated by security officials in New Zealand after the release of the annual threat report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service branding China as a “complex intelligence concern”.