John Key reveals China pushing to extradite non-resident

Prime Minister John Key during his post-cabinet press conference in the Beehive Theatre. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Chinese authorities are pressing New Zealand to extradite a non-Chinese resident from New Zealand to face unknown charges in China, Prime Minister John Key revealed today at his post-Cabinet press conference.

Mr Key was being questioned about whether New Zealand was having the same problem as the United States, where Chinese agents have been working to put pressure on expatriate Chinese to return home immediately. Many of the agents' targets are wanted for corruption after arriving in the US with "ill-gotten gains".

The US does not have an extradition treaty with China; nor does New Zealand or most democratic countries.

Mr Key said New Zealand was not having any such issues and had not sent anyone back to China, but added "there is an individual they want extradited but it is not for reasons around finances".

"It is not a money issue. It is relation to criminal activity and the person is not Chinese. It is in relation to a case that took place in China."

Most of the people that China's Government wanted returned were Chinese citizens suspected of lining their personal pockets through corruption.

The issue of an extradition treaty was raised in November last year with President Xi Jinping visited New Zealand after the G20.

Mr Key said today that "whether there is progress is for another day".

The Chinese did not mention names at the time but Mr Key said they were "absolutely convinced" there were quite a few suspects living in New Zealand.

New Zealand was not working on any particular cases, Mr Key said, and getting an extradition treaty would require quite a bit of work.

Despite not having an extradition treaty, it was legally possible for New Zealand to extradite Chinese citizens, but on condition they could not be tortured or face the death penalty.