China ‘severely concerned’ over professor’s arrest
Print Edition
CHINA’S foreign ministry yesterday said it was “severely concerned” over the arrest of one of its citizens in the United States, one of six Chinese nationals charged with “economic espionage.”
US prosecutors accused the six with a years-long scheme to steal mobile phone technology trade secrets.
“China is severely concerned about this,” ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular briefing, adding Beijing will defend its citizens’ rights.
According to a 32-count criminal indictment, the group led a long-running effort to obtain US trade secrets for Chinese universities and companies.
Among those charged were Tianjin University professor Zhang Hao, who was arrested as he entered the US on Saturday.
The five others named in the indictment are believed to be in China, according to a US justice department official.
All could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. The charges they face include economic espionage, theft of trade secrets and various conspiracy counts, with penalties that could include 10 to 15 years in prison plus fines.
Washington has accused China of cyberspying in order to benefit Chinese companies, while Beijing has said it is itself a victim of hacking. China is increasingly concerned about US cyberspying and has ordered many government departments to avoid using foreign technology.
“The Chinese government firmly opposes and combats thefts of trade secrets, in accordance with law,” Hong said.
“As for this case, we are still checking the details,” he said.
In a scheme that allegedly dates back to 2006, the six are accused by the US of stealing trade secrets relating to so-called FBAR technology from companies for which two of them worked — California-based Avago Technologies and Massachusetts-based Skyworks Solutions.
It enables cell phones and other devices to filter radio signals. According to the indictment, Chinese firm ROFS Microsystems was set up as a joint venture between Tianjin University’s investment arm and individuals including some of the defendants to manufacture rival products.
Zhang, 36, is a former Skyworks employee and a professor at Tianjin University. After being arrested, a magistrate ordered him to be transported to San Jose to face the charges.
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