Zhen Chen set out to discredit Wanli Zhu by saying she is just a paid front acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party whilst masquerading as an activist critic. Ms Zhu claimed these comments are defamatory, part of an orchestrated campaign intended to destroy her credibility after she published details of criminal charges in the US brought against a critic of the Chinese government.
In the High Court, Ms Zhu was awarded $150,000 damages for defamation. Mr Chen did not defend the claim.
Ms Zhu came to New Zealand from China in 2003, becoming a New Zealand citizen five years later.
She describes herself as a political commentator and whistle-blower, calling out dishonest behaviour. This led her You Tube channel to expose details of self-exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui’s prosecution in the United States for investment fraud. He is associated with an organisation called Himalaya Farm Alliance.
She claims Himalaya Farm members are simply presenting themselves as a dissident group for financial advantage. She reported to Financial Markets Authority what she described as illegal financial activities by New Zealand members of Himalaya Farm.
Ms Zhu told the High Court members of an Auckland branch of Himalaya Farm then stepped up a programme of harassment, naming her as a paid spy of the Chinese Communist Party. A protest was held outside her then Hamilton home. A leaflet drop was made across her suburb. Derogatory comments were tweeted, and re-tweeted. She and her family were threatened.
Evidence was given of financial loss suffered: paid subscriptions to her You Tube account dropped from a previous high of 22,400; her Hamilton home was sold quickly at below market value when her family shifted address.
She identified Mr Chen as one of those making derogatory and threatening comments under the moniker Bluesky. She described him as a self-employed business owner.
Awarding damages, Justice Wilkinson-Smith ruled it was defamatory to state Ms Zhu was a paid spy for the Chinese Communist Party who was dishonest and cheated on her taxes.
Zhu v. Chen - High Court (1.04.25)
25.098