On September 4, 2024, New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) released its annual threat report, labeling China as a 'complex intelligence concern' due to its deceptive tactics and foreign interference operations. The report details how China employs front organizations to manipulate local narratives and mentions a Chinese-language news outlet that promotes Beijing's views. This shift in New Zealand's foreign policy comes as the country moves towards a new center-right government, which is distancing itself from China, despite the nation being New Zealand's largest trading partner, with exports exceeding USD 13.2 billion [0b81ffb1].
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized the fundamental value differences between New Zealand and China, reflecting a broader concern about China's influence in the region. The NZSIS report also highlighted Russia's monitoring of New Zealanders and foreign funding attempts for community events, indicating a growing awareness of various international threats [0b81ffb1].
In the context of the Solomon Islands, the recent election has raised concerns about China's increasing influence in the South Pacific. The election, which took place on Wednesday, is the first since the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to China and signed a secret security pact with Beijing. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is seeking a record fifth term, has been pivotal in fostering closer ties with China, while his challengers have criticized this relationship and emphasized the need to focus on domestic issues [2f4a2c24].
The election results in Malaita province, which has been critical of the deepening ties with China, will be closely watched. Australia has sent 400 police and military personnel to assist with election security, while China is providing training support. The United States remains concerned about China's increased presence in the Solomon Islands and the potential for a Chinese military base in the future, making the election a focal point in the US-China rivalry in the Pacific [1c3d6d26].
Despite the severed diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands, Taiwan has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the island nation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan congratulated the Solomon Islands for holding successful elections and aims to uphold universal values such as democracy and human rights in its exchanges with Pacific nations [5d402447].
In a related development, a new documentary titled 'The Long Game' by Stuff Circuit has revealed decades of Chinese Communist Party influence and interference operations in New Zealand. The documentary explores the extent of the Chinese government's activities in the country and highlights violent acts on New Zealand soil. The investigation involved a team of researchers and reporters and was made with support from New Zealand on Air [18477bd2].