Why didn’t New Zealand impose sanctions on China?

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi greets New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington on 18 March 18. New Zealand has opted against applying sanctions over China’s alleged hacking operations. Photograph: Getty Images

Politicians, journalists and critics of Beijing were among those targeted by cyber-attacks run by groups backed by China, western intelligence services said this week.

The separate cyber-attacks hit the US, UK and New Zealand – all members of the Five Eyes alliance. The network of five countries, which also includes Canada and Australia, share security related intelligence.