China ‘strongly deplores’ interference inquiry, embassy warns of ‘consequences’

An embassy spokesperson reiterated China’s denial of the interference allegations Friday in response to the federal government's call for a public inquiry into the matter.

Beijing “strongly deplores” Canada’s foreign interference inquiry, and the Chinese embassy is warning of “consequences” if the country does not drop its “ideological bias.”

The comments from the Chinese embassy in Canada come after the federal government announced the public inquiry Thursday, tapping a Quebec judge to lead the probe after a months-long search.

Allegations of Chinese foreign interference in Canadian elections and society have dominated the political scene in Ottawa for much of the year; the new inquiry will probe not only Beijing, but Russia as well as other foreign states and non-state actors during the 2019 and 2021 general elections at the national and electoral district levels.

“On Sept. 7, the Canadian Government announced the launch of a public inquiry into foreign interference by China and other countries, and continued to hype up the lies of the so-called ‘China’s interference in Canada’s internal affairs.’ China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this,” an embassy spokesperson said in an email Friday.

“China urges the Canadian side to abandon its ideological bias, stop hyping up China-related lies and false information, stop misleading the public and stop undermining China-Canada relations. Otherwise, Canada will have to bear the consequences.”

The spokesperson did not elaborate on what the consequences could be.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who is also the minister for democratic institutions, revealed Thursday that Marie-Josée Hogue, a puisne judge of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, has been tapped to lead the inquiry under the Inquiries Act.

Hogue’s appointment comes after a months-long search for a judge to head an inquiry after former governor general David Johnston, the special rapporteur looking into allegations of foreign interference, resigned from the role in June amid accusations of bias.