Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to raise concerns over foreign interference directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders meet later this month.
Carney said he would stress that China and other countries must respect Canada’s internal affairs during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Carney said the meeting would provide an opportunity to address sensitive issues openly.
“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,” he said.
The issue has previously been a major concern for Ottawa. In April 2025, Carney described China as one of the biggest threats to Canada in terms of foreign interference.
Concerns intensified following a 2024 inquiry into foreign interference, during which Canada’s intelligence agency was reported to have concluded that China had interfered in the country’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
Beijing has consistently denied attempting to interfere in Canada’s domestic affairs.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Canada is now seeking closer economic ties with China as part of efforts to reduce its dependence on the United States.
The move comes after a prolonged period of strained relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
In February, following Carney’s visit to China, Beijing announced it would suspend some tariffs on Canadian agricultural products that had been imposed during a trade dispute.
Carney’s upcoming meeting with Xi is expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to address their differences while exploring ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
