File on MP withholds key work details

The immigration file of the National MP who taught English to spies has been released — but the key information about whether he disclosed this when moving to New Zealand has been withheld.

In Jian Yang’s citizenship file, he promises “not to act in any way that is against the interests of New Zealand”.

But that’s almost all that can be made out in the file released by the Department of Internal Affairs through the Official Information Act.

The response — made well inside the 20 days limit — came after it was revealed Yang did not disclose the military universities at which he had taught in China.

Yang studied and taught at the Air Force Engineering University or Luoyang People’s Liberation Army University of Foreign Languages.

Instead of naming them on CVs and his citizenship application, he used the names of “partner” universities to the military institutions where he taught trainee intelligence officers as an English lecturer.

Internal Affairs, responding to an Official Information Act request, released Yang’s file with large chunks blacked out.

It said the information released was the “full extent” of information held about Yang’s citizenship application.

Among the redactions is Yang’s response to the question: “Please list the schools, colleges, English language institutes or universities you attended and any qualifications obtained.”

I think from early on I’ve been aware that he had military training including military intelligence. Prime Minister Bill English

Also removed is Yang’s response to: “Who have you worked for in New Zealand and overseas in the last 10 years?”

Another redacted answer responded to the question “Have you ever received a benefit, allowance or compensation form a government department or agency?”

The Herald has made an urgent request for the Office of the Ombudsman to review the redactions.

The citizenship application shows Yang was granted New Zealand citizenship on June 14, 2004.

Yang has said naming the “partnership” universities was not a false declaration and was required if he was to leave China.

Yang has said the revelations about his background by the Newsroom site was defamatory and a smear campaign.

Newsroom reported the NZSIS has scrutinised Yang over three years and had carried out interviews about the MP last year.

Yang said he had never spoken to the NZSIS and wasn’t aware of any inquiries. For the record, he said he had never been a spy and the implication he had been was defamatory.

He said he had been transparent about his past with the National Party and it was widely known in the Chinese community.

Yang moved to New Zealand in 1999 and taught international relations at the University of Auckland. He entered Parliament in 2011.

Prime Minister Bill English has said he knew of Yang’s background. “You get to know people as MPs and I think from early on I’ve been aware that he had military training including military intelligence.”