China poses a serious strategic threat to Canada, both through attempts to steal secrets and through a campaign to intimidate the Chinese community, Reuters reported referring to Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director David Vigneault.

He said that hostile activities by government actors seeking, among other things, to steal trade secrets and confidential data, pose a serious threat to the prosperity and sovereignty of Canada.

“The government of China ... is pursuing a strategy for geopolitical advantage on all fronts – economic, technological, political, and military – and using all elements of state power to carry out activities that are a direct threat to our national security and sovereignty,” he said.

Biopharmaceuticals and healthcare, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, ocean technology, and the aerospace industry are most at risk from government-sponsored hackers, he said.

Vigneault also argues that China, through its Operation Fox Hunt - a search for corrupt officials and leaders who have fled abroad with their assets - regularly threatens and intimidates political opponents in Canada.

“These activities ... cross the line by attempting to undermine our democratic processes or threaten our citizens in a covert and clandestine manner,” he said.