Indebted TV station off air

A state-supported Chinese television station stopped broadcasting on Freeview days after the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) ruled out using Huawei as a provider to New Zealand’s 5G network.

But a leading New Zealand academic on China-related issues said the events were unrelated.

Chinese Television Channel (NCTV), backed by Chinese state television broadcasters China Central Television CCTV and China Xinhua TV Network CNC, went live on Freeview channel 32 in March 2017.

It stopped broadcasting on December 1 last year, just two days after the GSCB declined an application by Spark to use 5G equipment from the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.

Since the GCSB’s decision to block the Chinese technology giant, New Zealand’s relationship with China has been under increased scrutiny.

However, China expert AnneMarie Brady said NCTV ending its broadcast days after the GCSB announcement was most likely a coincidence. Having NCTV in New Zealand was of value to China as it was an avenue to distribute propaganda, she said.

‘‘They were a platform for promoting Chinese government policies in New Zealand.’’

NCTV, a self-described ‘‘statelevel television station’’, screened locally made and Chinese-state produced news and entertainment shows for New Zealand’s Chinese community.

Its president, young Chinese entrepreneur Frank Peng, founded NCTV in 2015 using the registered company Asia Pacific News Corporation.

He said NCTV stopped broadcasting because ‘‘the business ended. I have nothing else to say.’’

Freeview spokeswoman Bel Wang said Kordia, the transmission provider, stopped its transmission of NCTV due to outstanding debts owed by the company.

She would not comment on any outstanding liabilities, citing commercial reasons.

The sole director and owner of Asia Pacific News Corp is Peng’s wife, Han Yang, whose residential address is registered to a Mission Bay home worth $5.8 million. The house is not owned by Yang or Peng.

At the time of NCTV’s launch, Peng said it aimed to build a bridge between New Zealand and China. It aired 24/7 in Auckland.

Its website features pricing that shows sponsored broadcasting cost $52,000 a year and a 30-second advertisement at prime time cost $280.

STUFF; SUPPLIED An empty studio at the NCTV offices in Ellerslie, Auckland, in December last year. NCTV president Frank Peng, inset, would not comment on why the station stopped broadcasting.