Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent diplomatic engagement with China has reignited serious concerns about foreign interference and the nation's sovereignty, according to a prominent former diplomat and China expert.
Diplomatic Handshake Raises Alarms
The discussion stems from a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 31, 2025. A new episode of the Full Comment podcast, recorded on December 5, 2025, features an interview with Charles Burton, a former Canadian diplomat to China and author of "The Beaver and the Dragon: How China Out-Manoeuvred Canada’s Diplomacy, Security, and Sovereignty."
Burton presents a stark critique of the Liberal government's current posture. He argues that under Carney's leadership, troubling activities by the Chinese Communist Party—including alleged hostage-taking, election meddling, and spy ring operations—are being minimized in favor of warmer bilateral relations.
Adopting Beijing's Narrative
A central point of Burton's criticism is the perception that Prime Minister Carney has adopted Beijing's preferred narrative on the Canada-China relationship. This shift in rhetoric is happening despite ongoing adversarial actions from China that directly impact Canadian interests.
Burton specifically points to Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products as a current example of harm being levied against the country, even as diplomatic overtures are made. He suggests that President Xi Jinping has successfully influenced Canadian policy, a dynamic he describes as "subordinating" Carney to Beijing's strategic goals.
Canada as a Target for Infiltration
The former diplomat delivers a particularly grave assessment of Canada's vulnerability. Burton asserts that Canada is now "the most Chinese-infiltrated country in the western world." He warns that while Prime Minister Carney engages in diplomacy, the Chinese government continues to ramp up efforts to undermine Canadian institutions and democratic processes through subversion.
This analysis draws parallels to the previous Liberal government's approach, suggesting a consistent pattern of prioritizing economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing over addressing fundamental security and sovereignty concerns. The podcast conversation with host Brian Lilley frames Carney's actions not as a reset, but as a concerning comeback for a policy of appeasement that fails to protect national interests.
