China influence case tests academic freedom in New Zealand

Surely China shoiu;ld have the exact same influence on the research of scholars in New Zealand as New Zealand has on the research of Chinese scholars in Beijing?

China is run by a radical dictatorship and has been successful in silencing any opposition, using its financial and industrial influences. The fake concepts of 'freedom of speech' and 'democracy' are swept under the carpets when governments think about their interests. Look how brave Macron is when he defends silly, meaningless, offensive and disgusting caricatures! Simply because the leaders of Islamic world are just too cowards to face him because of their deep corruption. Can any of the 'brave' western leaders dare and criticise China, e.g. for its dehumanisation of the Uyghur? for its dictatorship for their lies about COVID19?

When the embedded CCP officials have no direct control or influence, as they do over Chinese Nationals in 'Western' Academia, they always have to option of leaning in the University and threatening financial actions. Where there's a Confucius institute especially so...

The Chinese might be correct in stating the western ideas of academic freedom, democracy and individual freedoms overbidding the will of the state are colonialist and imperialist by the west. As numerous scholars on this site have stated no one culture is superior to another. Critical theory, Western Marxism and Neo-Marxism, and the Frankfurt School. These are influential in humanist studies and especially sociology rather than the science and technology fields, as most would not support traditional non-western cultural methods as superior to the current scientific method.