The police investigation into allegations of intimidation of a Canterbury professor critical of China is ongoing, and until it's finished Jacinda Ardern says she won't be taking sides.
"If I received a report that told me that there had been interference or a criminal act on one of our academics by a foreign state, I would act on that, but I haven't received that information," the Prime Minister told TVNZ 1's Breakfast this morning.
The statement comes one day after receiving an open letter from 29 academics and human rights advocates urging her to "make a clear statement" regarding the alleged intimidation of Canterbury University politics professor Anne-Marie Brady.
Ms Brady, a prominent China critic, saw her home burgled in February. And earlier this month it was discovered her car had been tampered with .
"We have been shocked and disturbed by the reports of intimidation and harassment suffered by Professor Anne-Marie Brady," the open letter to Ms Ardern said. "Attempts to intimidate and harass one academic in New Zealand have implications for freedoms of all the others - and indeed, for the freedoms of all who live here."
Corin Dann interviews China expert Professor Anne-Marie Brady on foreign influence in our political process. (Source: Other)
But reports of intimidation and harassment are not the same as proof of intimidation and harassment, the Prime Minister responded today.
"I can't really meddle in the fact that police are still doing that work," she said, adding that she hasn't yet received a report from investigators. "The police are the ones rightfully who should be investigating this case, and they are."
However, if a report at some point does point to another country responsible for intimidation of Ms Brady, Ms Ardern said she will act.
"I would let it be known we are defending those academic freedoms," she said.
The Prime Minister also discussed today her cancelled trip to China to visit with Premier Li, insisting that it was a matter of scheduling rather than a sign of cooled relations between the two nations.
John Campbell looks at donations to our political parties that could be linked to the Chinese Communist Party. (Source: Other)
The two met at the ASEAN Summit in Singapore earlier this month. The follow-up visit to Beijing before the end of the year was intended to be a sign of the two countries' close friendship.
"It's simply been postponed. We haven't been able to find a time that worked for both sides this year," Ms Ardern said today. "If there was an issue with our relationship, I would not have had a bilateral with Premier Li, in which we discussed the future visit."
While there was widespread criticism during the summit of China attempting to extend influence into the Pacific, it was not an issue that New Zealand has taken on individually, she said.
"We have a strong relationship with China - the kind of relationship where we do raise issues from time to time," Ms Ardern added. "I've raised, for instance, issue around the Uyghurs and human rights issues.
"I consistently, when necessary, raise issues of concern, but also use our bi-lateral opportunities to raise New Zealand's economic interests too. It is an important strategic relationship for us, and we've been consistent in the way that we have, through successive governments, I would like to think, managed our relationship with China."
But the aggression between the two superpowers puts NZ in a more powerful position, Winston Peters says. (Source: Other)
SHARE ME