Summarised by Centrist
Michael Laws points out the unusual step taken by the Free Speech Union in publicly naming, or ‘doxxing,’ Morgan Xiao, a Howick resident and local Labour Party official.
Nick Hanne of the Free Speech Union argues Xiao is a central figure in a campaign of intimidation against Chinese New Zealanders critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
He explains how Xiao “has very publicly said that the CCP… are the future” and has targeted journalists like Portia Mao, who “should be basically sent back to China or locked up,” creating a chilling effect on free speech.
Hanne describes how the Harmful Digital Communications Act has been used to silence critics. “It allows complainants to effectively act as judge, jury, and executioner,” he says. “In Portia’s case, she didn’t even know the complaint had been laid or the court order made against her.”
He warns that this is part of a systemic influence campaign by the CCP aimed at restoring its global power.
Hanne recalls the quiet exit in 2020 of two NZ MPs, Raymond Huo (Labour) and Dr Jian Yang (National), both expatriate Chinese citizens with “murky links to the CCP,” who were dismissed amid concerns about foreign influence.
He cites the discovery of CCP “police stations” operating covertly overseas, including in Auckland, without New Zealand’s knowledge.
“It’s about time more of us started speaking up,” said Hanne.
