PM Mark Carney to Confront Xi Jinping Over Foreign Interference at APEC Summit

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that he will raise concerns about foreign interference in Canada during an in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, which runs from November 18 to 19. Carney and Xi last met in January; the two leaders also spoke at last year’s APEC summit, the first formal meeting between the leaders of Canada and China since 2017.

Carney told reporters in Montreal on Tuesday that he plans to address Beijing’s meddling directly. “The advantage of these meetings is you can raise issues directly and frankly,” Carney said at a press conference.

He added that he would raise the importance Canada attaches “to the non-interference in our affairs by China and other countries.” Ottawa expects Beijing and other nations to respect Canadian sovereignty, and foreign interference has been a longstanding point of friction between the two countries.

In April 2025, Carney identified China as one of the biggest threats in the context of foreign interference. A public inquiry in January 2025 similarly identified China as the top perpetrator targeting Canadian democratic institutions, concluding that Beijing tried to meddle in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

Beijing has consistently denied allegations that it attempts to influence or interfere in Canada’s domestic affairs. Beyond political meddling, a report by the Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders stated that China has expanded illegal police stations around the world, including in Canada, to monitor and control the diaspora.

Alongside security concerns, Carney plans to discuss the global security climate and the bilateral economic partnership. He described that partnership as something that is deepening while maintaining clear guardrails regarding involved areas.

Canada has sought to strengthen economic ties with Beijing to diversify trade and reduce dependence on the United States. Following a visit by Carney in February, China announced the suspension of some tariffs on Canadian agricultural products stemming from an earlier trade dispute.

During the press conference, Carney also announced that his government has chosen a new ambassador to China and will reveal the appointment soon. The diplomatic post has remained vacant since the spring.

Before arriving in Shenzhen for the APEC gathering, Carney is slated to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in the Philippines from November 16 to 18. United States President Donald Trump will also be present at the summit, and Carney indicated that he expects to speak with Trump at APEC or at the ASEAN summit.