Sydney (Australia), Aug 11 (EFE).- The New Zealand intelligence services denounced this Friday the foreign interference carried out by China and Russia, among other nations, and that it can cause “significant damage” to national security .
In a report published today, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) stressed that it is “aware” of espionage and foreign interference actions “in and against” the oceanic country linked to Beijing’s intelligence services.
“New Zealand’s geographical position in the Indo-Pacific, our links with other Pacific countries and our shared interests in a stable, prosperous and resilient region will attract the attention of foreign intelligence services,” the document said.
This report is published in a context of concern regarding the security and stability of the strategic Pacific region, following the signing in 2022 of a security and military cooperation pact between China and the Solomon Islands that includes the dispatch of security forces Chinese at the request of Honiara.
In addition, New Zealand and Australia – which have historically been the influential powers in the region – have in the past denounced foreign meddling activities or cyberattacks by individuals or groups linked to China.
For NZSIS, most of the “malicious” foreign interference activities “unjustifiably” target immigrant communities and communities that are considered dissidents by some foreign governments.
“Most notable is the continued attack on Chinese communities in New Zealand. We see these activities being carried out by groups and individuals linked to the intelligence arm of the People’s Republic of China,” according to NZSIS.
Likewise, NZSIS pointed out that an undetermined number of foreign intelligence agencies spy “persistently and opportunistically (…) inside and outside” New Zealand territory, both on the Wellington Executive and on companies, research institutions and agencies contracted by the State. .
The objective of this espionage, they point out, is to steal military secrets, intellectual property rights and even personal data.
The report briefly notes that disinformation campaigns by Russia have increased after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
New Zealand intelligence also warns of the risk of more aggressive conduct by Iran against dissident communities living in New Zealand.
This report is the first comprehensive assessment NZSIS has made of the various threats facing New Zealand such as terrorism and violent extremism, foreign interference, espionage and cyber-attacks. EFE
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