Canada utility firm employee Yuesheng Wang charged with spying for China
- Wang allegedly sent trade secrets to China, using his position at Hydro-Quebec to conduct research for a Chinese university and other Chinese research centres
- The Quebec man was a researcher at a centre that develops technology for electric vehicles and energy storage systems
Canadian police charged a Hydro-Quebec employee on Monday with espionage for allegedly sending trade secrets to China.
Yuesheng Wang, 35, will appear in court in Longueuil, Quebec, on Tuesday to face charges of obtaining trade secrets, using a computer without authorisation, and with fraud and breach of trust by a public officer.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said its national security enforcement team began an investigation in August after receiving a complaint from Hydro-Quebec’s corporate security branch.
RCMP Inspector David Beaudoin said it is alleged while employed with Hydro-Québec Wang allegedly used his position to conduct research for a Chinese university and other Chinese research centres. Beaudoin said he reportedly published scientific articles and submitted patents in “association this foreign actor rather than with Hydro-Quebec”.
“He obtained this information to benefit the Peoples Republic of China to the detriment of Canada’s economic interest,” Beaudoin said.
Beaudoin said he used the information without the knowledge or prior approval of his employer. The alleged crimes took place between February 2018 and Oct. 2022.