New Zealand (NZ) security services have blocked foreign power plans to access “sensitive” technologies that are likely to be deployed in military applications.
Rebecca Kitterridge, director of Security Intelligence Services (SIS), a New Zealand espionage agency, made a revelation on March 15 at a hearing hosted by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Commission.
“We have confused New Zealand-based individuals who were trying to facilitate the transfer of New Zealand-based confidential technology to foreign countries. This technology may have supported the state’s military power. Is expensive, “she told the committee.
The Secretary did not appoint a foreign state that tried to steal the technology.
Kitteridge outlined the scope of activities that government agencies have dealt with, revealing that foreign states were targeting NZ’s political, academic, media, and private sectors.
Ethnic communities were also monitored and pressured by foreign governments to “suppress opposition.”
“New Zealand border restrictions may have reduced espionage in a year. However, even if the border is closed, agents who are already using the activities of foreign agents in New Zealand or using cyber means. Activities were not restricted, “she said.
Like her Australian counterpart, Kitterridge warned that militants were affected online.
“They cherry pick from the range of radical views that may resonate with them,” she said. “I am particularly concerned that an increasing number of young people are mainly searching online for violent and radical material. Some young people have expressed their support for violent violence. I am. “
SIS is facing pressure over its response to the Brenton Tarrant massacre of Christchurch.
Meanwhile, New Zealand universities and businesses are faced with doubts about their connections with Chinese institutions related to the PLA and the sharing of technology that can be used for military purposes.
Massey University was previously affiliated with iFlytek, an artificial intelligence company in China.
iFlytek is controversial for that Development of speech recognition technology It has been used by the Beijing Ministry of Public Security for a mass surveillance program for Uighur Muslims. The company was blacklisted by the US Trump administration.
In the business scene, in 2014, Beijing Automobile Industry Company (BAIC), a major Chinese state-owned automobile and machinery manufacturer, acquired a 50% stake in Pacific Aerospace, based in Hamilton, New Zealand.
After that, the company’s main drone freighter model (P-750-XSTOL) was adopted, and another Monica (AT-200) And it was adapted for military use, especially for “counterinsurgency and light attacks”.
Democracies have recently realized the risk of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) participating in Beijing’s military-civilian fusion strategy utilizing research and technology developed by private organizations.
follow
Daniel Y. Teng is based in Sydney. He focuses on national politics, including federal politics, COVID-19 response, and relations between Australia and China. Do you have a hint? Contact him at [email protected]