‘Aggressive’: Trudeau accuses China of interfering in Canadian elections
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused China of playing “aggressive games” with democracies following reports that Beijing attempted to interfere in the country’s elections.
Trudeau said “significant measures” had been taken to strengthen the integrity of the system after Canadian intelligence identified a “clandestine network” of Beijing-backed candidates at the 2019 elections.
He was also told that China had planted spies in MPs’ offices to influence policy in its favour.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes his way to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Ontario.Credit:The Canadian Press/AP
At least 11 candidates were supported by China in the last federal elections, according to the intelligence.
The allegations came days after police also announced they were investigating a secret network of Chinese “overseas police stations” in Toronto, part of Beijing’s efforts to secretly round up dissidents and criminals abroad.
“We have taken significant measures to strengthen the integrity of our election processes and our systems, and we’ll continue to invest in the fight against election interference, against foreign interference of our democracy and institutions,” Trudeau said.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing countries, state actors from around the world, whether it’s China or others, are continuing to play aggressive games with our institutions, with our democracies,” he added.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is investigating “reports of criminal activity” related to foreign police stations after Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders reported that China is operating more than 50 overseas station including three in the Greater Toronto Area. Credit:The anadian Press/AP
The reports come after authorities said they were investigating accusations that China had opened unofficial police stations on Canadian soil.
Last month, Canadian police said they were looking into reports of “criminal activity in relation to so-called police stations”, which have also been reported in other European countries.
Ireland and the Netherlands have already ordered China to close the police posts, which have reportedly been used to pressure opponents of the regime to return to China and face criminal charges.
A Chinese overseas police station reportedly operating without the knowledge of the country’s Interior Ministry, in Budapest, Hungary.Credit:AP
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said it had “no interest” in Canada’s internal affairs and it should stop making remarks that “undermine relations”.
“State-to-state relations need to be built on mutual respect and mutual benefit, and China-Canada relations are no exception,” he added.
Canadian broadcaster Global News said Beijing had directed funds towards Trudeau’s Liberal party and the opposition Conservatives.
Chinese agents have reportedly acted as campaign advisers to several candidates and attempted to “co-opt and corrupt” former Canadian officials to gain political influence.
In one case close to C$250,000 ($300,000) was directed through the office of an Ontario-based provincial MP. It is unclear if the efforts were successful.
The operation was allegedly directed from China’s consulate in Toronto.
The Telegraph, London
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