New Zealand Now ‘Awakened’ Against CCP’s Ambitions, Says China Expert
Udumbara
Two recent incidents involving the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in New Zealand have prompted warnings from experts, who say Pacific countries—including Australia—should stay vigilant against the regime’s influence in the region.
Chinese diplomats have unsuccessfully tried to pressure Victoria University of Wellington this month to stop a Taiwan-related event run by the university and the Australian National University’s Taiwan Studies Program, according to New Zealand media Newsroom.
Days later, on Sept. 16, the New Zealand Chinese embassy lodged a complaint about what it described as “harassment and interrogation without cause” of Chinese citizens at the airport by security officials, who compelled them to hand over electronic devices.
In response, New Zealand’s foreign ministry stated that all individuals entering or transiting through the country must comply with its laws, including national and border security regulations, which are applied without discrimination.
These points were communicated to the Chinese Embassy, a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
Democracies Following Trump’s Tough Stance: Professor
David Yeau-Tarn Lee, adjunct professor at the Graduate Institute of Development Studies of National Chengchi University, said the incidents highlight New Zealand’s growing recognition of the ambitions of the CCP after its military parade on Sept. 3. “It’s growing closer with free democracies to uphold sovereignty and independence, demanding that all nations respect New Zealand’s laws, academic freedom, and freedom of speech,” he told The Epoch Times in Chinese.
Lee, who has also served as director of Taiwan’s Graduate Institute of National Development, noted that New Zealand has become tougher towards the CCP since President Donald Trump took office, which has encouraged free democracies to “stand against the axis of evil.”
“New Zealand has felt this posture and started to realise the serious infiltration and subversion by the CCP … They have ultimately awakened and, finally, taken a firm stand,” he said.
.
Governments Have Major Misunderstanding of CCP
Lee, who warned Australia about Beijing’s “dangerous expansion” in 2022 when the current Albanese administration was newly elected, believes that many governments worldwide mistakenly draw a superficial resemblance between the CCP and their own parties.
“Almost all free and democratic countries in the world have a division between left and right, i.e. a distinction between capitalism that emphasises free markets and socialism that focuses on workers’ rights,” he said.
“However, the rise of the CCP does not represent true workers’ rights; rather, it is a form of party-state capitalist oligarchy disguised as socialism … which is quite different from the democratic socialism in Nordic countries.
“Unfortunately, many democracies in the free world often fail to see this distinction, especially Labour Party governments worldwide, which tend to favour equality and workers’ rights. They mistakenly assume that the CCP is similar to them, which is a major misunderstanding.”
The professor noted that the CCP is rising under a regime of digital totalitarianism, sustained by long-term violence, lies, and the exploitation of the people.
“It suppresses domestically and expands its revolution abroad,” Lee said.
“I hope that Labour Party governments, not just in Australia but around the world, can see this clearly … and defends the core values of the Western camp, including constitutionalism, the rule of law, freedom, democracy, and human rights.”
Pacific Governments Should Be Alert: Researcher
Kevin Carrico, senior lecturer in Chinese Studies at Monash University, warned that behind the seemingly simple act of raising “concerns,” the CCP is “fundamentally opposed to academic freedom and intent on forcing people and institutions to conform to its falsehoods.”
“Such interference should be understood not as normal diplomatic activity, but rather as fundamental hostility to legally guaranteed freedoms,” he told The Epoch Times.
Carrico expressed disappointment about how New Zealand’s handling of such incidents could influence the Australian government.
“To be frank, it doesn’t take much for any country to take a firmer stance toward the CCP than the current Australian administration,” he said.
By looking at the CCP’s behaviour in the Pacific, he added, it is clear that the regime is trying to expand its influence as a regional power.
“Now is not the time for any government in the region to take a wavering approach to China-related matters—an approach that the regime views as an invitation for further aggression and interference,” Carrico said.
“Rather, it is essential that all governments in the region that support freedom, regional stability, and prosperity stand unwaveringly in support of these ideals and against the CCP’s undermining thereof.”
.
