The Canadian police said they have arrested an employee of the provincial government energy company in Quebec, on charges of spying for China.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested Yusheng Wang, 35 years old, on Monday and charged him with espionage.

The police statement said that Wang "obtained professional secrets for the benefit of China, at the expense of Canadian economic interests."

He will appear on Tuesday before the court in Longueuil, Quebec, to face criminal charges.

The man, who resides in the Kandiac neighborhood in the southern suburb of Montreal, is accused of obtaining professional secrets, unauthorized use of a computer, breach of trust by a public employee, and fraud to obtain professional secrets.

The crimes are believed to have been committed between February 2018 and October 2022.

A statement from Hydro Quebec said Wang worked in the battery branch at the center of excellence specializing in the electrification of transportation and energy storage affiliated with the company, which develops electric car technology.

Investigator David Boduan said Wang exploited his position at Hydro Quebec to conduct research for a Chinese university and other research centers.

He added that Wang published scientific articles and filed patents "for the benefit of the foreign entity instead of Hydro Quebec."

The investigation into Wang was opened in August 2022, following a complaint from the company's internal security branch.

A security official at Hydro Quebec said in a statement: "Our sensing and intervention mechanisms allowed us to alert the police to this matter, and we have been cooperating with them since then." He added, "No company is immune to these issues."

The government company is responsible for generating electricity, distributing energy, and storing it in the Canadian province, and also exports electricity to some regions of the United States.

It is the largest energy company in Canada according to its website.

The police said that among their priorities and those of other security and intelligence agencies worldwide is to "sense and thwart attempts of foreign interference."

Investigators pointed out that Hydro Quebec is "an important strategic facility that must be protected."

"The Canadian police are working in cooperation with their partners to enhance the protection of Canadian sectors targeted by these risks."

Canada is expected to announce in the coming weeks a new strategy for the Indo-Pacific regions. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said earlier this month that her country seeks to deepen ties with other partners in Asia.

She said in a speech before Canadian companies that China is "a disruptive force in the world," and warned them of the necessity of not being overly tied to it in their activities.

What I want to say to Canadian companies dealing with China: "You must open your eyes."