In the wake of the arrest of a Chinese national accused of economic espionage at Hydro-Québec, the Consulate General of China in Montreal wants cases of the kind that end up before the courts “not to be politicized”.
In response to questions from The Press on the reaction of the diplomatic mission after the arrest of the scientist, the latter was cautious.
“Individual cases should be handled according to law and not be politicized,” responded the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Montreal.
Upon his release pending trial for economic espionage on Monday, former Hydro employee Yuesheng Wang was issued a ban on communicating with Chinese government officials, except with diplomatic representatives in the framework of his defence.
In this regard, the consulate confirms that it stands ready to assist its nationals to “protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Canada”.
“The Consulate General will fulfill its role in accordance with the Consular Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” he said.
The secrets of Hydro-Quebec
Yuesheng Wang was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on November 14. He is charged with unauthorized use of a computer, fraud for obtaining industrial secrets, breach of trust by a public official and an offense relating to obtaining industrial secrets for the “benefit of the People’s Republic”. of China” and “to the detriment of the economic interests of Canada.
The lawsuit alleges that he passed cutting-edge Hydro-Quebec research secrets to Chinese entities, including an electric battery company where his former doctoral thesis supervisor works.
Wang, who was hired by Hydro in 2016 after excelling in battery research in China, testified at its bail hearing. He confessed to being a member of the Chinese Communist Party, but said he no longer paid his dues. He assured that any information he may have sent to China while employed by Hydro was already in the public sphere and did not constitute trade secrets according to him.