In a recent development, a French professor is facing accusations of engaging in espionage activities for allowing a Chinese delegation to visit sensitive locations.
According to the Parisian newspaper “Le Figaro,” the prosecutor’s office in Paris stated on Wednesday (January 14) that a professor at an engineering school at the University of Bordeaux is accused of allowing a Chinese delegation to visit “sensitive locations,” thus allegedly engaging in espionage activities.
Parts of the university campus have been designated as “restricted areas” since 2019. The prosecutor’s office has stated that “the staff member is suspected of allowing members of the Chinese delegation to enter some areas described as highly sensitive restricted zones.”
Under French criminal law, these areas receive additional protection to prevent the interception of scientific or technical knowledge that could weaken France’s “defense measures” or “endanger national security,” as well as for other potential uses.
The charges faced by the professor include “providing intelligence to foreign forces” and “colluding with foreign forces.”
These offenses carry a maximum penalty of 10 to 15 years in prison, in addition to fines.
The professor has been released pending judicial supervision.
According to the French media outlet “Intelligence Online,” the professor is a “recognized expert who is about to retire” and has been collaborating with counterparts from China since his student days.
The report mentioned that since the late 2010s, the professor has been spending two months every year at Xiamen University, where he has connections with the School of Mathematical Sciences.
During a regular press briefing at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) asked about the case. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded that she was not familiar with the specifics of the case but quickly added, “We consistently oppose sensationalizing the so-called ‘Chinese spies’ to smear China.”