Canadian PM plans to raise concerns over Beijing’s alleged meddling in 2019 and 2021 elections as Ottawa seeks closer economic ties with China
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will raise concerns over foreign interference in the country’s domestic affairs with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their scheduled meeting later this month, making it clear that Ottawa expects Beijing and other nations to respect its sovereignty.
Carney is due to meet Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen on November 18-19.
The Canadian leader said he intended to use the meeting to directly convey his government’s concerns about interference in Canada’s internal matters.
“The advantage of these meetings is you can raise issues directly and frankly. And I will be raising the importance with which we attach to the non-interference in our affairs by China and other countries,” Reuters quoted Carney as telling reporters.
The issue of foreign interference has been a longstanding point of friction between Ottawa and Beijing.
In April 2025, Carney identified China as one of the biggest threats in the context of foreign interference.
Concerns over Beijing’s alleged involvement in Canadian politics were also examined during a 2024 inquiry into foreign interference. Canada’s intelligence agency had concluded that China interfered in the country’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
Beijing, however, has consistently denied allegations that it attempts to influence or interfere in Canada’s domestic affairs.
More from WorldCanada seeks closer economic ties with China
Carney’s planned engagement with Xi comes as Canada looks to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce its dependence on the US.
Despite a prolonged period of strained bilateral relations, Ottawa has been seeking to strengthen economic ties with Beijing as part of its efforts to broaden its international trade relationships.
In February, following a visit by Carney, China announced that it would suspend some tariffs imposed on Canadian agricultural products during an earlier trade dispute.
The upcoming meeting is expected to provide the two leaders an opportunity to address differences over foreign interference while continuing discussions on bilateral economic ties.
With inputs from agencies
