In 2021, Canada dismissed two scientists who worked in an infectious disease laboratory for transferring confidential information to China. The transferred data could have posed a threat to the country's national security, according to Reuters.
Canadian officials concluded during the investigation that the family was a realistic and credible threat to Canada's economic security. Canadian Health Minister Mark Holland called the security breaches at the lab unacceptable.
Canadian police said in 2019 they were launching a probe into the matter but Wednesday's revelation was the first time that details of the sackings were revealed.
The documents show the Canadian Security Intelligence Service concluded Qiu had intentionally transferred scientific knowledge and materials to China.
The news is likely to worsen already chilly ties with Beijing, especially since Ottawa has set up an investigation into alleged Chinese interference in domestic Canadian affairs.
Cases of espionage in favor of China
Earlier, it was reported that a US Navy serviceman was sentenced to 27 months in prison for accepting a bribe of nearly $15,000 from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for photographs of US military information.
Shortly after, the London police announced the arrest of two men under the Official Secrets Act. It was reported that they were cooperating with Chinese handlers.
Also, in December of last year, an Australian court found a resident of Melbourne, who had previously held senior positions in Chinese community organizations, guilty of planning an act of foreign interference.