A newly released document shows intelligence officials have been tracking China’s attempts to meddle in Canadian affairs for almost four decades.

The 1986 intelligence report warned that Beijing was using open political tactics and secret operations to influence and exploit the Chinese diaspora in Canada.

The Canadian Press used the Access to Information Act to obtain the report, which said China was using new and potentially more potent techniques to accomplish these goals.

In recent years, the federal government and its security agencies have begun to openly point a finger at Beijing as particularly active in foreign interference activities against Canada.

Much of the document remains secret on the grounds disclosure could harm the conduct of international affairs, the defence of Canada or the detection, prevention or suppression of subversive or hostile activities.