New Zealand spy chief warns about China’s influence in the Pacific
New Zealand's top intelligence official is raising concerns about China's growing influence in the Pacific, particularly after the Cook Islands deepened ties with Beijing. The Security Intelligence Service Director General, Andrew Hampton, stated that his agency will increase its scrutiny of the Cook Islands due to these strengthened connections.
Hampton highlighted that Pacific nations' focus on economic and transnational crime has created opportunities for China to establish strategic agreements linking "economic and security cooperation." He warned that China aims to "create competing regional architectures and expand its influence," posing risks of foreign interference and espionage. This comes after the Cook Islands signed agreements with China covering various sectors, including education, infrastructure, and seabed mining, following similar deals between Beijing and other Pacific nations aimed at boosting economic development.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
New Zealand's top intelligence official is raising concerns about China's growing influence in the Pacific, particularly after the Cook Islands deepened ties with Beijing. The Security Intelligence Service Director General, Andrew Hampton, stated that his agency will increase its scrutiny of the Cook Islands due to these strengthened connections.
Hampton highlighted that Pacific nations' focus on economic and transnational crime has created opportunities for China to establish strategic agreements linking "economic and security cooperation." He warned that China aims to "create competing regional architectures and expand its influence," posing risks of foreign interference and espionage. This comes after the Cook Islands signed agreements with China covering various sectors, including education, infrastructure, and seabed mining, following similar deals between Beijing and other Pacific nations aimed at boosting economic development.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
