Canada Targets China, Calling It a "Serious Threat to National Sovereignty"

(Source: Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Canadian government has publicly condemned China for acts of confidential information theft, stating that it poses a serious threat to national security.

On the 9th (local time), David Vigneault, Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), said in a virtual speech at the International Governance Innovation Center, "China is posing a serious strategic threat through the theft of confidential information targeting Canadian government agencies and companies, as well as actions aimed at Chinese residents living in Canada."

Director Vigneault stated, "These hostile acts by China pose a serious risk to Canada's prosperity and sovereignty." He added that CSIS has observed persistent and sophisticated threat activities led by Chinese authorities for years, and it has become clear that the frequency and sophistication of these threats continue to increase.

He identified the most threatened sectors as bio, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, marine technology, and aerospace. He emphasized, "The Chinese government is pursuing a strategy to gain superiority in all areas including economy, technology, politics, and military by mobilizing all means of state power, which directly threatens Canada's national security and sovereignty."

He also exposed China's 'Fox Hunt Operation,' which is activated to capture Chinese dissidents who have fled abroad. Director Vigneault said, "China deceives dissidents who expose human rights violations by labeling them as corrupt officials or corporate executives, then repatriates or threatens them."

The bilateral relationship began to sour when Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Vice Chairwoman of the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, in December 2018. Following Meng's arrest, China retaliated by arresting two Canadians on espionage charges within its borders.

Subsequently, China halted imports of Canadian canola oil, and Canada filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), escalating the conflict into a trade dispute. On the 1st, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested over an order of 'Wuhan bat' T-shirts by the Canadian Embassy in China, further intensifying tensions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.