FBI opens New Zealand office, citing China threat
FBI Director Kash Patel has opened a permanent office abroad in an apparent bid to “counter the CCP”.
FBI Director Kash Patel has opened a permanent office in New Zealand, citing the need for like-minded spy agencies to counter a rising China.
Patel has spent recent days in the capital Wellington meeting with senior government ministers as well as intelligence bosses and law enforcement officials.
“Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together,” Patel said in a video released by the US Embassy in Wellington.
Patel singled out “countering the CCP” as a priority, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.
New Zealand is a member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance alongside the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia.
“The FBI cannot do it alone,” Patel said.
“Our partners in the Five Eyes are our greatest partners around the world. But we need all of them... to get after the fight and put the mission first.”
The US Embassy in Wellington said the FBI office would investigate “terrorism, cyber crime and fraud, organised crime and money laundering, child exploitation, and foreign intelligence threats”.
It will also cover FBI partnerships in Antarctica, Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, and Tonga.
The minister responsible for New Zealand’s spy agencies, Judith Collins, said the FBI was a valued intelligence partner.
The FBI has hundreds of special agents spread across the world.
“We exchanged a range of insights on areas such as trans-national organised crime, counter-terrorism, cyber-security and espionage,” Judith Collins, Minister for Digitising Government, said today.
“NZSIS and GCSB relationships with overseas partners like the FBI, as well as their support to New Zealand Police, are an important part of how the intelligence agencies deliver on their mission to keep New Zealand safe and secure.”
New Zealand Police Minister Mark Mitchell welcomed Patel to the country and warned criminals of the new partnership.
“New Zealand Police are continually working with their overseas counterparts like the FBI to catch those engaged in illegal, harmful activities such as drug smuggling and online child exploitation, as well disrupting and preventing this offending from happening in the first place,” he says.
“Police are part of a global effort on law enforcement. Director Patel’s visit was an excellent opportunity to share our common concerns while reinforcing the importance of New Zealand and the US working together to protect our citizens.”
-- with AFP
Originally published as FBI opens New Zealand office, citing China threat
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