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New Zealand politician says he taught Chinese spies but loyal to new home

New Zealand lawmaker Yang Jian said he was the victim of a smear campaign 10 days before a general election

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New Zealand lawmaker Yang Jian, who was born in China said Wednesday he taught Chinese spies while working at that nation’s elite military colleges. Photo: AP

A New Zealand lawmaker who was born in China said Wednesday he taught Chinese spies while working at that nation’s elite military colleges but had never engaged in any intelligence activities himself and was loyal to his new nation.

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Yang Jian told reporters he would never tried to hide his background but had not always highlighted it either because New Zealanders might feel sensitive about his ties to the Chinese military.

“Once you understand the system and the universities, then I’m not a spy, just a teacher,” he said.

Yang said he had taught university students English language and American studies. He said some of his students were trained to collect, monitor and interpret information.

Jian Yang-CV-First China Visit

“If you define those cadets, or students, as spies, yes, then I was teaching spies,” he said.

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Yang also said he was a member of the Communist Party while living in China but was no longer a member.

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