Canada’s Carney to raise election meddling concerns in talks with China’s Xi

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will raise concerns over election meddling with China's President Xi Jinping during their meeting at the upcoming Apec summit, set for November 18-19. A 2025 public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference has identified China as the most active perpetrator targeting Canada's democratic institutions.

Carney is set to discuss various matters during the summit, including the broadening of bilateral trade. He emphasized the importance of non-interference in Canada's internal affairs, stating that he would be frank and direct in raising this issue with both China and other countries. China has consistently denied such allegations, but the final report of Canada's Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference concluded that China views Canada as a high-priority target and was involved in meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

Furthermore, Canada's federal police have investigated claims of China operating illegal police stations on Canadian soil, aimed at harassing or intimidating Chinese expatriates. Carney visited China in January to help restore diplomatic ties that had been strained under the previous government. He has stressed the need for Canada to diversify its foreign trade to reduce reliance on the US and has identified China and India as key trade partners.