Judge Marc-Antoine Carette announced his decision at the Longueuil courthouse. According to the judge, the defendant made several serious errors of judgment and his conduct undoubtedly merited disciplinary sanctions.

“Mr Zheng admitted in a statement that he had gone too far,” the judge noted.

However, for the judge, the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that these actions were a crime. The judge recalled that in our system “the defendant does not have to prove his innocence.”

This is a setback for Canada’s counterintelligence apparatus at a time when a public commission of inquiry is investigating China’s interference in Canadian affairs in Ottawa. When Wanping Zheng was arrested in 2021, an RCMP officer said it was a case of foreign interference by China.

Recruited Canadian companies

The prosecution’s theory was that Wanping Zheng used his key position at the Canadian Space Agency to further the interests of the Chinese company Spacety by contacting Canadian companies and enticing them to work for the Chinese company. These partners were in a situation of dependence on the Canadian Space Agency and one of them told the court that he was sorry for refusing because he did not want to offend Mr. Zheng, whom he needed for his projects.

In particular, Mr. Zheng wanted a Canadian company to help the Chinese company install a satellite communications ground station in Iceland.

Mr. Zheng also approached another Canadian company to allow him to build and launch around fifty satellites for the benefit of the Chinese company. He did not disclose these actions to his superiors and even lied about his activities.

After ending his career at the Canadian Space Agency, Mr. Zheng became Vice President at Spacety.

Mr. Zheng did not testify at his trial, but the Crown released a video recording of his statements to police after his arrest in 2021. The man said he was loyal to Canada, the country he immigrated to after leaving China . He explained that he only wanted to promote international cooperation in the field of space exploration.

“I have done nothing to harm the country. I’m trying to help the country,” he told an investigator in the video.

The prosecution was represented by M^e Marc Cigana and M^e Samuel Monfette-Tessier of the Canadian Public Prosecution Service. M. took over the defense.^e Andrew Barbacki and M.^e Jordan Trevick.

Lack of understanding of the rules

Wanping Zheng did not want to speak to the media after the verdict was read. M^e Barbacki said this whole story has been very difficult for him.

“He didn’t do anything for China, he worked for a private company and he shouldn’t have done it,” Mr. concluded.^e Barbacki also thanked the Crown prosecutors for their very efficient work and professionalism.

“We will review the verdict and evaluate our options. Of course, an appeal will be considered,” explained Crown Prosecutor Marc Cigana.

Last year, the Spacety company was sanctioned by the US government, alleging that it provided satellite imaging services to Wagner Group mercenaries as part of the invasion of Ukraine. The company has denied the allegations.