Chinese Stupidity

Petulant Immaturity; Fundamental Insecurity

At times the Chinese government seems dumber than a sackful of hammers.  It acts like a teenager unable to face up to the rigours of adult life.  The Chinese state appears fundamentally insecure.

A case has hit the headlines in New Zealand over recent days in which an academic has reported suspicious behaviour, including the theft of a computer used in her research work.  University of Canterbury Professor, Anne-Marie Brady gave evidence to the Australian Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee in Canberra about the "dirty tricks".

Brady gained international profile in September after publishing research detailing the extent of China's influence campaigns in New Zealand focusing on a nexus of political donations, appointment of directorships and information management.  Brady told the Australian parliament her office on campus was broken into in December, and last week her home was burgled - with computers, phones and USB storage devices stolen with other obvious valuables ignored by thieves.  The latter event was preceded by an anonymous letter detailing push-back against those not toeing the official line out of Beijing and warning: "You are next."  [NZ Herald]

For our money sunlight is the best disinfectant against this kind of idiocy by the Chinese Government--idiocy which by any measure shows up its fundamental insecurity.  It is acting like a neurotic, immature teenager.  The NZ Police, meanwhile, are investigating.

The NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said she has become aware of the case via the media.  [Hardly a flash look for the PM].  She said she would be asking some questions.

Assuming that the reports are accurate--and there is little reason to doubt them--New Zealand needs to take firm action.  If the NZ Police are successful in arresting the burglars--and if they do turn out to be acting for the Chinese Government and are engaged in a dirty tricks campaign in this country--then, once convicted, they deserve a lengthy prison sentence without parole.  Agents of a foreign government breaking our laws in New Zealand should face a zero tolerance response.  Especially this must be the case when those agents were attacking or committing criminal acts against someone who happens to have displeased a foreign government. At the same time, the strongest possible objections need to be made at the government-to-government level.

The possibility academic freedom was being threatened in such a heavy-handed manner also drew alarm from the university sector, with Sharn Riggs, the national secretary of the Tertiary Education Union, saying the claims were without precedent in New Zealand.  "This is quite extreme, and obviously very concerning to have a members' personal safety put in danger, but also from a policy perspective around academics right to investigate and publish in these areas," she said.

Quite.  If the perpetrators are apprehended we would be satisfied with nothing less than a public condemnation of such behavior by the Chinese Government and a complete disowning of the perps.  Meanwhile, we need to shine the spotlight on all similar Chinese Government activity in this country.

If those subsequently apprehended turn out to be non-citizens they must be exiled from New Zealand.  If they are citizens, they must face serious jail time for crimes in this country while acting as an agent of  a foreign power.

Would the present Prime Minister be up to it?  Sadly, we fear not.   The best we can look forward to is the PM setting up another committee to look into things.   The PM, as is her normal practice, will continue to ask questions.