Chinese Scientist Sentenced to 2 Years for Industrial Espionage at US Company

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] A Chinese scientist was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing trade secrets in the battery sector from the U.S. energy company 'Phillips 66.'

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 28th, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Tan Hongjin (36), a Chinese national scientist who worked as an engineer at the U.S. energy company, was sentenced to two years in prison for leaking trade secrets worth 1 trillion won. Tan must also pay $150,000 (approximately 180 million won) in damages to the victim company.

This is an additional indictment case of a Chinese scientist stealing corporate secrets amid heightened U.S. concerns over China's intellectual property infringement and 'industrial espionage.' Phillips 66 reported the theft of trade secrets to the FBI in December 2018, and when the investigation began, Tan admitted in November last year that he copied and downloaded the company's proprietary materials without his employer's permission, acknowledging the charges. The U.S. Department of Justice did not present clear evidence that the stolen technology was transferred to the Chinese government but explained that Tan had the intent to do so.

John Demers, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice, pointed out, "This investigation and prosecution once again reveal China's persistent attempts to steal American intellectual property."