The Liberal government resisted for months launching an inquiry into foreign interference, but it now says short timetables given to the newly-appointed commissioner are necessary to promptly reassure Canadians. “We understand the importance of moving quickly,” Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc told reporters in Ottawa on Sept. 7 during an announcement on the identity of the commissioner. After spending months negotiating with opposition parties on the terms of reference of the inquiry, and in searching for a candidate accepted by all parties, Mr. Leblanc said Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will preside over the inquiry. Justice Hogue will start her work on the inquiry on Sept. 18, the same day the House of Commons reconvenes. She has been given short deadlines with the requirement to submit an interim report by the end of February 2024 and a final report by December 2024....Read more https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/after-resisting-foreign-interference-inquiry-ottawa-now-says-results-needed-quickly-5487834
Taiwan has pledged to share with Canada its experiences in countering China’s foreign interference. Foreign Affairs Minister Jaushieh Wu made the offer during an exclusive press conference hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sept. 6, as reported by The Bureau. Drawing upon Taiwan’s experience, Mr. Wu highlighted the issue of Beijing’s influence, particularly through its United Front Work Department (UFWD), known for its role in conducting foreign interference operations. He noted the UFWD strategically leveraged its resources, including people, immigration channels, and the Chinese diaspora communities, not only in Canada but also other countries, in efforts to achieve its objectives.... 
The recently uncovered Chinese hack of hundreds of thousands of emails from top U.S. officials began with the breach of a Microsoft engineer’s account, the company stated on Sept. 6. The Chinese hacking group, which Microsoft dubbed Storm-0558, penetrated the engineer’s account, giving it access to a cryptographic key that the group later used to break into the U.S. government accounts, Microsoft said in a blog post after a months-long investigation. The revelation offered details on a Chinese state-sponsored cyberattack that alarmed Washington, which spanned 25 organizations and affected the State and Commerce departments, as well as at least one lawmaker and a Washington think tank....
All overseas U.S. embassies would be required to designate at least one employee for tracking activities associated with communist China’s predatory $1.2 trillion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in their local countries under legislation introduced in Congress by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). “Communist China is using debt-trap diplomacy to erode the sovereignty of debtor nations and challenge American leadership in critical regions around the world. The United States cannot ignore how China destabilizes developing countries to advance the Chinese Communist Party’s [CCP] military ambitions and malign agenda. The U.S. should counter China’s predatory lending and promote freedom to people living under China’s exploitation,” Mr. Lankford told The Epoch Times....