Academic Investigating Chinese Influence Peddling in New Zealand Had Break-Ins at Home and Work
February 19th, 2018Via: New Zealand Herald:
A New Zealand academic who made international waves researching China’s international influence campaigns has linked a number of recent break-ins to her work.
University of Canterbury professor Anne-Marie Brady, speaking today from Christchurch to the Australian Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee in Canberra, outlined three recent events which caused her concern.
“I had a break-in in my office last December. I received a warning letter, this week, that I was about to be attacked. And yesterday I had a break-in at my house,” she said.
She said this weeks’ burglary at her Upper Riccarton home was particularly suspicious.
“I had three laptops – including one used for work – stolen. And phones. [Other] valuables weren’t taken. Police are now investigating that.”
Brady also said her employer at Canterbury University had been pressured following earlier work on China’s Antarctic policy and – following a recent visit to China – sources she had talked to were subjected to visits from authorities.
“People I’ve associated with in China, just last year, were questioned by the Chinese Ministry of State Security about their association with me.”
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Her outspokenness became extremely public after she published in September a “Magic Weapons” paper using New Zealand as a case study in explaining China’s extra-state exertion of influence.
The paper highlighted a river of campaign donations to governing parties, and how a cluster of former senior politicians – including former prime ministers and mayors – and family members of current government ministers had been appointed to boards of state-owned Chinese banks, companies and think tanks.
More: ‘Magic Weapons’: China’s Network of Influence in New Zealand
