The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has warned that China is using its economic ties and influence to interfere with political happenings of partner countries.
A CSIS report, titled "Re-thinking security - China and the age of strategic rivalry" has one special segment titled "Fingers in all pots: The threat of foreign interference in democratic systems", wherein it is mentioned on how China is "targeting" New Zealand for its own benefit.
According to an article published in the Toronto Sunday Guardian (TSG), Chinese political influence activities in New Zealand have now reached a "critical level".
Beijing, the article claims is seeking access to strategic information and resources that could eventually undermine the integrity of the New Zealand political system, threaten New Zealand sovereignty, and directly affect the rights of New Zealanders to freedom of speech, association and religion.
Commenting on the tenure of President Xi Jinping, the report summarises his influence into four categories, "A strengthening of efforts to manage and guide overseas Chinese communities and utilise them as agents of Chinese foreign policy, renewed emphasis on people-to-people, party-to-party, and PRC enterprise-to-foreign enterprise relations with the aim of co-opting foreigners to support and promote the CCP's foreign policy goals, the roll-out of a global, multi-platform, strategic communication strategy; and the formation of a China-centred economic and strategic bloc".
The report further states that, "China is prepared to use threats and enticements to bring business and political elites to its side, and motivate them to defend the Chinese perspective on disputes such as the status of Taiwan and the South China Sea."
"Beijing will use its commercial position to gain access to businesses, technologies and infrastructure that can be exploited for intelligence objectives," the report adds.