_{Summarised by Centrist} 

In a bold national security move, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon vowed to publicly expose instances of Chinese espionage. He also said NZ is “very open” to tighter alliances with the US via AUKUS II. 

In an interview with the Financial Times, Luxon said making the business community aware of these threats – mirroring strategies from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia – is “to build literacy” around the issue. 

Luxon’s harder line stance comes shortly after New Zealand joined other nations in accusing Beijing of cyberattacks. In March of this year, Luxon’s government revealed that China had conducted similar attacks against Parliament in 2021, marking the first time Wellington had publicly singled out Beijing.

“Our view is very strongly that what happens in the Euro-Atlantic has an impact on the Indo-Pacific,” he told The Financial Times.

Despite hosting Chinese Premier Li Qiang earlier this year and pursuing cooperative trade relationships, Luxon described China as a strategic competitor in the Indo-Pacific. 

He remarked that New Zealand is pursuing a balanced strategy, involving cooperation in trade, renewable energy, and cultural exchanges aiming to double NZ’s exports over the next decade. 

However, Luxon said that he wouldn’t hesitate to criticise China if needed, despite concerns over potential economic retaliation.

Read more over at The Financial Times (paywalled)