China claims New Zealand’s spy report is product of foreign interference

China's embassy in Wellington has denounced New Zealand's latest security assessment, calling it a product of "foreign interference" and a "Cold War mentality." This response comes after the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service's annual threat report identified China as the sole nation conducting espionage "at scale." The report, released on Thursday, described the current threat environment as "the most challenging of recent times," with the Director General warning of an expected increase in espionage activities over the next year. The assessment highlights growing tensions in the relationship between China and New Zealand, already strained by geopolitical and security concerns.