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China Investigating Canadian Couple on Suspicion of Espionage China Investigating Canadian Couple on Suspicion of Espionage
(about 2 hours later)
BEIJING — A Canadian couple who live in a Chinese city on the North Korean border are being investigated on suspicion of espionage, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.BEIJING — A Canadian couple who live in a Chinese city on the North Korean border are being investigated on suspicion of espionage, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Kevin and Julia Dawn Garratt are “suspected of collecting and stealing intelligence material in Dandong about Chinese military targets and important national defense research projects, and engaging in activities threatening to Chinese national security,” the ministry said in a reply to faxed questions. Dandong is a city in northeastern China, across the Yalu River from North Korea.Kevin and Julia Dawn Garratt are “suspected of collecting and stealing intelligence material in Dandong about Chinese military targets and important national defense research projects, and engaging in activities threatening to Chinese national security,” the ministry said in a reply to faxed questions. Dandong is a city in northeastern China, across the Yalu River from North Korea.
The ministry did not say whether the couple had been detained, but family members said they had been unable to reach them. Repeated calls to a coffee shop that the Garratts run in Dandong went unanswered.The ministry did not say whether the couple had been detained, but family members said they had been unable to reach them. Repeated calls to a coffee shop that the Garratts run in Dandong went unanswered.
The announcement of the investigation of the couple, who are originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, comes a week after the Canadian government publicly accused China of hacking Canada’s top scientific research agency, which Beijing angrily denied.The announcement of the investigation of the couple, who are originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, comes a week after the Canadian government publicly accused China of hacking Canada’s top scientific research agency, which Beijing angrily denied.
While China has in the past used its vague state secrets law to prosecute naturalized, Chinese-born citizens of foreign countries, for such accusations to be levied against non-ethnic Chinese expatriates is much more unusual. The move comes at a time of growing antipathy toward the West on the part of Beijing and the Chinese state news media, some of it due to disputes involving cyberespionage.
Officials from the Office of State Security in Liaoning Province notified the Canadian Embassy in Beijing about the case on Monday. The Foreign Ministry said the authorities had “fully ensured the various rights” of the couple.Officials from the Office of State Security in Liaoning Province notified the Canadian Embassy in Beijing about the case on Monday. The Foreign Ministry said the authorities had “fully ensured the various rights” of the couple.
“We’re aware that two Canadians have been placed under investigation in China,” said a Canadian Embassy spokeswoman, who asked not to be identified in accordance with embassy policy. “We’re gathering information and monitoring the developments, and obviously consular officials here stand ready to provide any assistance if necessary. To protect the private and personal information of the individuals, we’re not commenting any further on this case.”“We’re aware that two Canadians have been placed under investigation in China,” said a Canadian Embassy spokeswoman, who asked not to be identified in accordance with embassy policy. “We’re gathering information and monitoring the developments, and obviously consular officials here stand ready to provide any assistance if necessary. To protect the private and personal information of the individuals, we’re not commenting any further on this case.”
The Garratts have lived in China on and off since 1984 and moved to Dandong about six years ago, said their son, Simeon Garratt, 27, who returned to Canada in 2009. The couple run Peter’s Coffee House, known in Dandong for cappuccinos, hamburgers and a weekly discussion group for people studying English. The Garratts have lived in China on and off since 1984 and moved to Dandong about six years ago, said their son Simeon Garratt, 27, who returned to Canada in 2009. The couple run Peter’s Coffee House, named for their younger son; the restaurant is known in Dandong for its Western fare and for a popular weekly discussion group for people studying English. “It’s a great opportunity to learn,” Liu Ziyu, who graduated from high school this summer and has frequently attended the “English Corner” discussion group for the past few years, said in a telephone interview.
Reached by telephone in Vancouver, Simeon Garratt said he had last spoken with his parents just as they were going to dinner on Monday. The allegations of spying reached him a few hours later. “At first I thought it was a joke,” he said. “My parents have loved China ever since they visited on their honeymoon. If you knew them, it would be the most absurd thing you could ever imagine.” With views of North Korea visible from its windows, the coffee shop quickly became a hub for the city’s expatriate English teachers and other foreigners, some of whom would gather privately for church services. The Garratts made no secret of their Christian faith. The elder Mr. Garratt’s Facebook page features a shot of his Bible next to a cup of coffee, and some of his “liked” pages belong to ministries and other Christian organizations.
But the couple’s younger son, Peter Garratt, 21, said Christianity was kept separate from their work, as proselytizing is banned in China. “They don’t try to hide it, but they’re not doing anything against the law,” he said by telephone from Dandong, where he is spending his summer vacation working at the coffee shop, which is now closed.
Peter Garratt last communicated with his parents on Monday night, while they were out for dinner. His father promised to send a photo of the meal. “That was the last time I heard from them,” he said.
On Tuesday morning, messages and calls started coming, but it was not until he read the news accounts that he realized the seriousness of the situation, Peter Garratt said. “At first I thought it was a joke,” he said. “I have no idea where these accusations are coming from.”
He said that no one from the Chinese government had contacted him but that his cellphone had suddenly started having problems. Still, he was able to reach his siblings in Canada to try to figure out their next steps.
Reached by telephone in Vancouver, his older brother, Simeon, dismissed the accusations.
“My parents have loved China ever since they visited on their honeymoon,” he said. “If you knew them, it would be the most absurd thing you could ever imagine.”