Arrested Canadian NATO intern suspected of spying for China

BRUSSELS, July 30 (Reuters): Belgian authorities suspect a Canadian NATO intern arrested on suspicion of espionage was working for China, according to two sources with knowledge of the case.

In announcing her arrest on Saturday, Belgian prosecutors said the woman worked at NATO's military headquarters in the city of Mons and was a "Canadian national of Chinese origin" suspected of spying for a third country and belonging to a criminal organisation.

They did not name the country or the organisation. But the two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential investigation, told Reuters the country under suspicion was China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment faxed outside business hours. The Chinese embassy in Brussels did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

NATO's 2022 Strategic Concept document, the foundation of the military alliance's policies, says China poses "systemic challenges" to Euro-Atlantic security.