Beijing, China - China on Wednesday dismissed concerns raised by Prime Minister Mark Carney that Beijing could be interfering in domestic Canadian affairs and institutions.
Beijing's response came after Carney said he would raise the importance of "noninterference in our affairs by China" with Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders meet at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week.
A Canadian public inquiry last year into allegations of election meddling identified China as "the most active perpetrator of foreign interference targeting Canada's democratic institutions."
China has consistently denied all allegations that it interferes in the internal affairs of other states, including Canada.
"China always sticks to the principle of noninterference in other countries' internal affairs… and has never had any interest in interfering in Canada's internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.
The final report of Canada's public inquiry into foreign interference, however, concluded that China "views Canada as a high-priority target" and meddled in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
Federal police have also investigated reports that Beijing operates illegal police stations on Canadian soil tasked with harassing or intimidating Chinese expatriates.
Carney visited China in January as part of his push to restore ties that crumbled under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Carney has said Canada needs to urgently diversify its foreign trade to reduce dependence on the United States, and has made China and India key targets.