Former SIS Minister Andrew Little says China's relationship with its diaspora community is often intense.

Stuff has released a documentary covering allegations of Chinese Communist Party influence and interference operations in New Zealand.

It comes as the Chinese Premier visits New Zealand for the first time in seven years.

Andrew Little says New Zealand is no different to any other country with a significant Chinese population.

"The Communist Party, through its various machines and organs and organisations, stays in close contact with a lot of those people."

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