Global Times

The Chinese Embassy in Canada on Friday refuted claims from Canadian authorities that accused China of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create false information and conduct cyberattacks within Canadian territory, urging Canada to stop baseless attacks and smears against China.

"The Canadian side, without any factual basis, has fabricated falsehoods out of thin air and baselessly smeared and slandered China. The Chinese side firmly opposes this and will never accept it," a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada said in an online post on Friday. 

The Communications Security Establishment Canada released a report claiming that countries including China will likely use AI tools to spread disinformation, the Globe and Mail reported on Thursday. Citing the Canadian cyber agency, the report said that Canada's 2025 federal election is "very likely" to be the target of AI meddling by China, Russia and Iran. 

In the online post, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy stated that China is one of the main victims of cyberattacks, and China has always been resolute in combating all kinds of cyberattack activities in accordance with the law, and is firmly committed to safeguarding cybersecurity.

China took the lead in proactively proposing the Global AI Governance Initiative, explicitly opposing the use of technological advantages in AI to manipulate public opinion, spread false information, interfere in the internal affairs, social systems, and social order of other countries, or undermine their sovereignty, the spokesperson said.

China has always upheld the principle of non-interference and has never interfered in the internal affairs of Canada, nor is it interested in doing so. "The label of 'interfering in internal affairs' can never be pinned on China," the spokesperson stated.

At the same time, China firmly opposes the Canadian side's interference in China's internal affairs on issues related to China's Taiwan island, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the spokesperson.

China urges the Canadian side to abandon ideological prejudices, immediately cease political manipulation and megaphone diplomacy, and stop the unwarranted attacks and defamation against China, so as to avoid creating obstacles to the development of China-Canada relations, the spokesperson said.

"The Chinese side urges the Canadian side to abandon ideological bias, immediately stop engaging in political manipulation and megaphone diplomacy, stop baseless attacks and smears against China, and refrain from creating obstacles to the development of China-Canada relations," the spokesperson said.

"Canadian authorities are using 'cyberattacks' as an excuse to sow distrust toward China within their own society. This is nothing but political manipulation," Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday.

Li said these efforts to mislead Canada's public will undermine the economic and cultural exchanges that the two countries have built over many years. Such actions are not only irresponsible but also harm Canada's own interests. "Canada's baseless accusations against China reveal its stubbornness and prejudice on China-related issues. Canada should reflect seriously on this," Li added.