China, Canada spying row
August 5, 2014
Canadian citizens Kevin Garratt and Julia Dawn Garratt are being investigated by China's state security bureau in the northeastern city of Dandong, which borders North Korea, the official Xinhua News Agency reported late on Monday. The pair are suspected of theft of military and intelligence information and for threatening national security, Xinhua reported quoting the foreign ministry.
According to Canadian media, the Garratts are from Vancouver and have lived in China since 1984 and have run a popular coffee shop in Dandong since 2008.
Canada's foreign affairs department said it was aware of reports and was trying get more information. The department said consular officials were ready to provide assistance.
"Canadian consular officials stand ready to provide assistance, as required," a statement from the foreign ministry said.
Canadian allegations
The accusations against the couple came just one week after Canada accused China of "state-sponsored" hacking into the computers of Ottawa's National Research Council, its research and development arm.
China's Foreign Ministry denied the claims and urged Canada to withdraw the "groundless" accusation.
hc/pfd (Reuters, AFP, AP)