Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday accused China of trying to meddle in the country’s elections and influence its policies.
According to information from Canadian news network Global News, Canadian intelligence services identified a “secret network” of candidates supported by Beijing in the recent election. At least 11 candidates had Chinese-funded campaigns in the 2019 federal election, officials told Trudeau.
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According to local media, the operation, planned at the Chinese consulate in Toronto, also infiltrated agents at the Canadian representative office in an attempt to “co-opt and corrupt” government officials and gain influence in Canadian political circles.
The attempted interference is believed to have targeted the country’s two main political parties: the Prime Minister’s Liberal Party and the opposition Conservative Party. However, it is unclear whether the operation was successful.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing countries, state actors around the world, be it China or others, continuing to play an aggressive game with our institutions, with our democracy,” Trudeau told a news conference.
The prime minister added that the government will continue to take steps to strengthen the integrity of the country’s electoral process and combat foreign interference in Toronto’s democracy.
A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had “no interest” in Canada’s internal affairs.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian denied the allegations, saying China had no interest in meddling in Canada’s election.
“Canada should stop making comments that damage relations with China,” Zhao argued.
Last month, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was investigating reports that Beijing had set up unofficial “police stations” on Canadian soil.
Similar activity was reported in several European countries, including Ireland and the Netherlands, which ordered China to close police stations.
Dutch media found evidence that so-called foreign service stations, which promised to provide diplomatic services, were being used to try to silence Chinese dissidents in Europe.
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