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Canadian couple detained in China 'very frustrated and confused,’ son says

The son of a Canadian couple detained in China on suspicion of stealing state secrets says his parents are physically fine, but “very frustrated and confused.”

TORONTO — The son of a Canadian couple detained in China on suspicion of stealing state secrets says his parents are physically fine, but “very frustrated and confused.”

Simeon Garratt says a Canadian consular official in the Chinese city of Dandong was allowed to speak with Kevin Garratt and Julia Dawn Garratt for half an hour each today.

The couple have lived in China for the past 30 years and run a coffee shop in the city which lies on the border with North Korea.

Simeon Garratt says his parents — who were abruptly detained Monday night — asked Canadian officials to tell their four children that they are being held at a guest house and are safe, but upset at the situation.

The pair are being investigated on suspicion of stealing state secrets about China’s military and national defence research.

The accusations come just a few days after the Canadian government blamed Chinese hackers for infiltrating computers at the National Research Council of Canada.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa vehemently denied that claim.