New Zealand’s tech warning reflects ‘significantly hardened’ stance towards China: analysts

New Zealand’s technology warning for companies and citizens working in China marks a “significantly hardened” stance, according to observers, who note the latest move is part of a “gradual overall deterioration” in ties between Wellington and Beijing.

The warning also points to a growing rift between China and the West in the tech space, and Wellington’s reluctance to be seen as “a point of vulnerability” when it comes to transferring technology, experts say.

On Tuesday, New Zealand intelligence agencies launched new security guidance to help protect emerging technology companies from a range of threats, particularly those posed by foreign-state actors.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau’s National Cyber Security Centre published the report “Secure Innovation: Security Advice for Emerging Technology Companies”.

In it, the report warned that New Zealanders should be aware of China’s strict laws in relation to national security “which may be interpreted broadly”, adding that key concepts such as “state security”, “national interest”, and “state secrets” have wide-ranging definitions in Chinese law.

“[China] can compel companies and citizens to cooperate with national security directives,” it said, adding: “New Zealand businesses operating in China are subject to these same laws and would be required to cooperate if authorities requested access to information, data and systems.”