Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to tell Chinese President Xi Jinping that Canada considers foreign interference by China and other countries a serious concern, reinforcing Ottawa’s position on national sovereignty ahead of his upcoming visit to China. Carney is expected to raise the issue during his engagement with Xi as part of a broader diplomatic trip across Asia and Europe scheduled for November 11-19.
Carney intends to emphasise that Canada expects other nations to respect its domestic affairs and institutions. The message comes as Ottawa attempts to strengthen economic cooperation with Beijing while addressing security concerns, including alleged foreign interference in Canadian democratic processes. The precise details of the planned discussion have not yet been published in an official meeting readout.
The planned engagement follows Carney’s earlier discussions with Xi on foreign interference during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea in November 2025. After that meeting, Carney said he had raised the issue but suggested Beijing did not fully recognise the seriousness of Canadian concerns.
Canada has continued to identify foreign interference as a national security priority. On October 29, Carney’s government launched its first national security strategy in more than two decades, identifying foreign interference, espionage, cyberattacks and foreign information manipulation among the threats facing Canadian institutions and sovereignty.
The issue adds a sensitive dimension to efforts to improve Canada-China relations. In January 2026, Carney met Xi in Beijing, where the two leaders announced a new strategic partnership covering energy, trade, public safety and security, multilateral cooperation and cultural exchanges. Ottawa said the arrangement was intended to create greater stability and economic opportunities for both countries.
Carney’s upcoming visit will also include participation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. According to Canada’s Prime Minister’s Office, the trip is intended to expand international partnerships, attract investment and create new export opportunities. The government has described China as an important market for Canadian businesses, particularly in trade and energy.
The diplomatic challenge for Ottawa is to pursue commercial opportunities without compromising its security priorities. Canada wants stronger access to international markets, but it also faces pressure to protect political institutions, sensitive infrastructure and public decision-making from external influence.
Carney’s discussions with Xi are expected to cover the broader bilateral relationship, including trade, investment and security. Whether the leaders make further progress on foreign interference concerns will be an important measure of how far their strategic partnership can develop.
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