The opening of a standalone FBI office may be putting New Zealand in a bit of an awkward position.  

The bureau's establishing a permanent presence in Wellington, focusing on trans-national crime like terrorism money laundering, child exploitation, and foreign intelligence threats. 

FBI Director Kash Patel has also said it would counter China’s influence in the Pacific. 

Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking Patel’s statement has ruffled feathers at the Chinese Embassy in Wellington, who put out a statement condemning “groundless assertions and vilification of China”.  

He says the Government is loath to upset the apple cart when it comes to China and our trading relationship with them, but they also have to take the United States’ desires into account. 

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