The former Hydro-Quebec researcher arrested for spying last week confessed in court Wednesday that he was a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, he says he has been behind on his dues payments for several years and claims that his name has been used without his permission for scientific work in China.
Yuesheng Wang, who has been detained since his arrest by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on November 14, appeared at the Longueuil courthouse to try to be released pending trial for economic espionage. The lawsuit claims that he illegally obtained industrial secrets from Hydro-Québec concerning the development of batteries, “for the benefit of the People’s Republic of China”.
“Are you a member of the Chinese Communist Party?” asked his lawyer, Mr.e Gary Martin, in court.
“Yes,” replied the accused, before explaining that he had not paid his dues for some time.
“Were you sent here by an authority of the Chinese government, or by yourself? “asked Mr.e Martin.
“By myself,” assured his client.
“Like the Americans! »
The Press revealed last week that during his studies at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuesheng Wang had Professor Hu Yong-Sheng as his thesis supervisor, who is now one of the leaders of HiNa Battery Technology, a Chinese company that has already demonstrated a “mini-electric car” powered by its own battery model and which promises to develop a new generation of batteries for the global market.
After his hiring at Hydro-Québec as a researcher, Mr. Wang continued to publish scientific articles on battery-related technologies in collaboration with the leader of the Chinese company, according to several of his publications consulted by The Press.
Corporal Stacy Gagné, an RCMP investigator who speaks Mandarin, came to explain to the Court that this program served to “strengthen the grip of the Chinese Communist Party”.
“By strengthening the economy, the army, the military capacity, it consolidates their power,” he explained.
“Like the Americans! replied Mr. Wang’s lawyer.
He says he was surprised
Corporal Gagné, who participated in the interrogation of the suspect after his arrest, claims to have produced before Mr. Wang patent applications filed in China on which his name appeared.
Mr. Wang recognized the names of the people for whom the patent was [délivré]. He was surprised to see that his name was in there. I would even say angry, to some degree. And he said he was going to communicate with people.
Corporal Stacy Gagné, RCMP investigator
RCMP investigator Annie Roy said that police officers who had shadowed Mr. Wang saw him go for a walk with a group of hikers at Mont Saint-Bruno in recent weeks. One of the men who accompanied him was identified as being linked to the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei as well as the Chinese company HiNa Battery, which would have benefited from the secrets stolen by the defendant, according to the prosecution.
The bail hearing continues Thursday.