Newsboom Media Literacy Report
Wellington councillor Ray Chung tells NZSIS Chinese Embassy questioned him after Shen Yun dance
The New Zealand Herald · Read original
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Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung told New Zealand’s spy agency he was questioned by Chinese Embassy officials after attending a controversial anti-Communist Party dance performance, the Herald understands.
More neutral wording: Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung reportedly informed New Zealand’s spy agency that he was questioned by officials from the Chinese Embassy following his attendance at a performance featuring anti-Communist Party themes, according to the Herald.
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Six people present at the June 26 meeting told the Herald Chung relayed the encounter during the briefing, which one councillor said “raised eyebrows” across the table.
More neutral wording: Six individuals present at a June 26 meeting reportedly told the Herald that Councillor Chung conveyed the encounter during the briefing.
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The sources said that Chung disclosed that he was invited to the Shen Yun “China before communism” show - an offshoot of religious movement Falun Gong which was banned in China in 1999.
More neutral wording: Sources indicated that Chung disclosed he was invited to a Shen Yun performance titled “China before communism,” an offshoot of the Falun Gong religious movement, which was banned in China in 1999.
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According to those at the briefing, Chung said after attending the Shen Yun event, he was contacted by representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Wellington, and invited to a meeting where his presence at the show was questioned.
More neutral wording: Sources present at the briefing stated that Chung reported being contacted by representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Wellington following his attendance at the Shen Yun event.
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An article in The Epoch Times, a news outlet associated with Falun Gong, quoted Chung as saying he had “never seen such skilful dancing before” after attending a Shen Yun show at Wellington’s St.
More neutral wording: An article in The Epoch Times, a news outlet associated with Falun Gong, quoted Chung as saying he had “never seen such skilful dancing before” after attending a Shen Yun performance at Wellington’s St.
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“I think that’s terrible.
More neutral wording: Chung is quoted as saying, “I think that’s terrible.
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Chung did not wish to comment on his meeting with Chinese Embassy officials or his comments to New Zealand’s spy agency when contacted by the Herald.
More neutral wording: Chung did not respond to requests for comment regarding his meeting with officials from the Chinese Embassy or his comments to New Zealand’s spy agency when contacted by the Herald.
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An NZSIS spokesperson confirmed the service had “engaged directly with elected members of Wellington City Council,” but said it did so in-confidence, and would not comment on specific issues raised.
More neutral wording: An NZSIS spokesperson confirmed that the service had “engaged directly with elected members of Wellington City Council,” but stated that the discussions were conducted in-confidence and would not comment on specific issues raised.