Trudeau accuses China of 'aggressive' election interference - BBC

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused China of attempting to interfere successful the country's elections.

Mr Trudeau accused Beijing of playing "aggressive games" with democracies and of targeting Canadian institutions.

It comes arsenic section media study that Canadian quality identified a "clandestine network" of Beijing-backed candidates astatine caller elections.

At slightest 11 candidates were supported by China successful the 2019 national elections, officials reportedly told Mr Trudeau.

Citing unnamed quality officials, section broadcaster Global News reported that Beijing had directed funds to the candidates and that Chinese operatives had acted arsenic run advisers to galore candidates.

In 1 case, backing of C$250,000 (£160,000) was directed done the bureau of an Ontario-based provincial MP.

The operation, which was reportedly directed from China's consulate successful Toronto, besides sought to spot operatives wrong the offices of serving MPs successful an effort to power policy, the outlet alleged.

And efforts were besides made to "co-opt and corrupt" erstwhile Canadian officials successful a bid to summation power wrong governmental circles.

The attempted interference is believed to person targeted some large governmental parties - Mr Trudeau's Liberal enactment and the absorption Conservative party. However, it is unclear whether the cognition was successful.

Chinese officials successful Canada did not respond to questions from Global News astir the allegations.

"We person taken important measures to fortify the integrity of our elections processes and our systems, and volition proceed to put successful the combat against predetermination interference, against overseas interference of our democracies and institutions," Mr Trudeau told reporters connected Monday.

"Unfortunately, we're seeing countries, authorities actors from astir the world, whether it's China oregon others, are continuing to play assertive games with our institutions, with our democracies," helium added.

The reports travel aft authorities said they were investigating accusations that China had opened unofficial "police" stations connected Canadian soil.

Last month, Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they were investigating reports of "criminal enactment successful narration to alleged 'police' stations", which person besides been reported successful a fig of European countries.

Several EU states, including Ireland and the Netherlands, person already ordered China to adjacent the constabulary posts, which person reportedly been utilized to unit opponents of the authorities to instrumentality to China and look transgression charges.

Dutch media recovered grounds that the alleged overseas work stations, which committedness to supply diplomatic services, were being utilized to effort to soundlessness Chinese dissidents successful Europe.