MAXIM INSTITUTE Less protesting and bluster — more truth

• Published date: 16 April 2024
• Author: Tim Wilson, executive directorThe Maxim Institute is an independent think tank working to promote the dignity of every person in New Zealand by standing for freedom, justice, compassion, and hope.
• Publication title: Northland Age, The

Too much protesting springs to mind when reviewing China’s response to the recent revelation (by the GCSB) that state-sponsored hackers attacked the New Zealand Parliament in 2021

The Chinese Embassy spokesperson says the country “ ... reject outright such groundless and irresponsible accusations”.

The spokesperson added: “We have never, nor will we in the future, interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including New Zealand. Accusing China of foreign interference is completely barking up the wrong tree.”

The tone? Vivid, obviously. Not merely “groundless” but “irresponsible” accusations. Hang on. How can a groundless accusation not be irresponsible? A wrong tree is invoked and barking ... in regards to Chinese interference in other countries.

Unfortunately, others have described that particular tree and dog well, including Canadian authorities, the Council for Foreign Relations, and the French Parliament. Some headlines:

“Canada announces public inquiry into whether China, Russia and others interfered in elections”

“China’s growing interference on domestic politics”

“China’s interference increasingly aggressive: French parliament report”

There’s the paradox. Language has meaning; extreme language often has less meaning; in fact, it can be a Geiger counter, indicating radioactive falsity. G.K. Chesterton once said, “propaganda is ... believing that other people will believe whatever you can invent”.

Such misbelief isn’t merely international. Local examples abound. Let’s recall Te Pāti Māori deploying the word “genocide” to characterise the anti-smoking legislation’s repeal. As Maxim Research fellow Natasha Baulis has...