China is playing “aggressive games” with Canadian democracies and institutions, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Monday after releasing a report alleging foreign interference in elections in the country.

The statement comes after Canadian broadcaster Global News reported funding a “clandestine network” of candidates in a recent election. It also comes days after authorities in Ottawa announced an investigation into illegal Chinese police stations in Greater Toronto, Canada’s largest city.

“Strengthening the integrity of our electoral processes”

“We have taken significant steps to strengthen the integrity of our electoral processes and systems,” Trudeau told reporters. “We will continue to invest in the fight against electoral interference, against foreign interference in our democracies and our institutions,” he promised.

“Unfortunately, we see that countries, state actors around the world, be it China or others, continue to play aggressive games with our institutions, with our democracies,” he lamented.

Beijing denies the facts and threatens

In Beijing, Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, responded Tuesday by saying that “relationships between countries can only be built on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. China-Canada relations are no exception.” “Canada should stop making statements that damage China-Canada relations. China doesn’t care about Canada’s internal affairs,” he told a regular news conference.

Citing unnamed sources, Global News revealed that intelligence officials informed the Trudeau administration that Beijing was attempting to influence or sabotage Canada’s democratization process. According to the broadcaster, China transferred funds via an MP and other funds to at least 11 candidates in the federal elections, as well as Chinese agents working for their campaign.

Target MPs

Also according to Global News, Beijing has tried to match agents with MPs to influence their policies. In October, Canada’s federal police announced an investigation into possible reports of illegal activity “regarding suspected police stations.”

Madrid-based human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders announced in October that there are 54 similar police stations worldwide, including three in the greater Toronto area.

China has denied the reports, calling them “completely false”. The agencies only provide services – such as driver’s license renewals – to Chinese nationals living abroad.