On September 17, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said it had sent an official protest to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding a Chinese citizen in transit being asked to hand over electronic devices at the airport.
The Chinese side said the case reflected a situation of unreasonable harassment and questioning by a New Zealand security and intelligence official, in which some of the equipment was confiscated but not returned.
In a notice posted on the website, the Chinese Embassy called the move "unsatisfactory" and expressed " regret" for the treatment it viewed as targeting Chinese citizens.
New Zealand has responded, emphasizing that any individual who is transiting or entering the country must comply with the laws and regulations of this country, including regulations related to national security and border security.
The New Zealand Foreign and Trade spokesperson affirmed that these provisions are applied discriminately, regardless of nationality. However, the statement did not mention the specific incident that China mentioned.
The incident comes as relations between the two countries remain generally stable, following a recent visit to China by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The incident is still attracting attention due to its involvement in the implementation of security laws and sensitivity in protecting civil rights.
