Chinese state-linked observatory sought NZ site, spy agency says
China was the only country detected to have been conducting espionage "at scale," according to a report from New Zealand's security agency.
New Zealand's security agency, the NZSIS, reported disrupting attempts by the Purple Mountain Observatory, a Chinese state-linked organization, to install satellite-tracking equipment in the country. According to the agency's annual assessment of an escalating espionage threat environment, the Chinese organization sought to install ground-based space infrastructure through a New Zealand company that was unaware of the potential intelligence collection capabilities of the equipment.
The NZSIS did not disclose the name of the New Zealand company or detail how the plans were thwarted. The assessment, released on Thursday, highlighted China as the sole country New Zealand detected conducting espionage on a large scale, with the NZSIS Director-General Andrew Hampton stating that the threat environment was the most challenging in recent times.
China's intelligence services were identified as the most active espionage threat, with the NZSIS cautioning that New Zealand organizations should maintain a cautious approach to overseas business and research ties. The agency emphasized that Beijing's national security laws could compel Chinese individuals and organizations to comply with intelligence-service requests, such as sharing data, intellectual property, or system access.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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