Helen Clark said it was "surprising" Bridges had not planned his trip through official diplomatic channels (file photo).

Former prime minister Helen Clark has questioned Simon Bridges' use of National MP Jian Yang to plan his controversial China visit.

The programme for the September trip, during which Bridges met the head of China's secret police, was put together by Yang, official emails showed.

Yang came under scrutiny in 2017 when it was revealed he trained Chinese spies and worked in Chinese military intelligence for 15 years before he emigrated to New Zealand.

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Simon Bridges travelled to Beijing and Shanghai in September (file photo).

Clark said in a tweet that during her time in opposition, overseas trips were always planned through official diplomatic channels, and it was "surprising" Bridges' trip hadn't been.



READ MORE:

* National MP Jian Yang organised Simon Bridges' controversial China trip, emails show

* Bridges opens up foreign policy divide on China

"When I was NZ Leader of Opposition, provision was made for an annual overseas mission, always organised through [the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade], one assumes because of the potential for impact on NZ foreign relations," Clark said.

"[It's] surprising that that practice hasn't been adhered to here."

When I was NZ Leader of Opposition, provision was made for an annual overseas mission, always organised through @MFATgovtNZ, one assumes because of the potential for impact on NZ foreign relations. Surprising that that practice hasn't been adhered to here: https://t.co/MwbhWoQVSi — Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) January 5, 2020

In response to questions on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Bridges said MFAT was "heavily involved in organising the China trip from start to finish".

"Its officials attended and participated in all meetings," the spokesperson said.

Asked on Tuesday if it was unusual for Yang to organise the trip, an MFAT spokesperson said the ministry had "provided support for elements" of the visit.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF In 2017 it was revealed Jian Yang had taught English at a Chinese spy school before emigrating to New Zealand (file photo).

Emails between MFAT staff in August said Bridges' office had "made clear" Yang was organising the trip and "they had no expectation that MFAT would be doing so".

An August email from Andrew Robinson, New Zealand's Consul-General to Shanghai, said: "We know Jian Yang and [China-based Kiwi businessman] David Mahon are engaged to some extent, but it's not clear from this end where the centre of planning is sitting."

Yang put together the trip's programme and sent it to National staff, saying in an email he was "rather pleased with it".

Under the pretext of countering terrorism and religious extremism, China holds Uighur Muslim children at 're-education' camps.

The programme was forwarded to Robinson and another MFAT official based in Beijing a week before Bridges arrived in China.

Bridges' activities in the People's Republic were criticised at home. He praised the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in an interview with state media and met with Guo Shengkun, the person in charge of the country's secret police, at a time when the CCP was detaining more than a million Uighur Muslims.

Gerry Brownlee, National's spokesman for GCSB, NZSIS and foreign affairs, also travelled with Bridges and Yang to China.