Chinese ambassador to Canada Luo Zhaohui lashed out at Canada and demanded proof of its alleged hacking after the latter claimed on Tuesday that Beijing had spied on its science research agency, according to The Globe and Mail.

Luo challenged Canada to produce "credible evidence" on the allegations, adding that investigations could begin once the evidence has been shown.

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He told media that he was surprised at the accusation and wondered why Ottawa had chosen to publicly accuse Beijing instead of coursing its concerns through diplomatic channels, which he said was the normal practice.

He said China's news agencies have been asking him questions on the allegations, noting one such question where he was asked what Canadian secrets China could possibly want that would be worth stealing.

The timing of the accusation had been unfortunate and likely put a strain on strategic talks between Vice President Li Yuanchao and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird - who was in Beijing at the time to facilitate a two-way trade deal in the energy sector, he added.

Luo reiterated that such accusations should not detract from the progress of bilateral relations between the two nations.

While this is not the first time that China has reportedly hacked into Canadian government systems such as the Treasury Board, the Finance Department and Parliament Hill, last Tuesday's statement was the first time that Ottawa has accused Beijing of doing so, said security expert Wesley Wark.

Wark said Canada may have been emboldened to voice its suspicion following several similar accusations from other countries including the U.S. which had indicted five Chinese government personnel for cyber espionage last May.

Canada's information office said they were first informed of the breach at the National Research Council (NRC) by the Communications Security Establishment Canada on July 23.

According to the office's statement, it is still unclear whether the hackers were able to penetrate beyond the NRC networks but that the government has already taken precautions to isolate the NRC from broader government systems.

TagsCanada-China relations, John Baird, Luo Zhaohui, cyber espionage, cyber spying, hacking, National Research Council, Communications Security Establishment Canada, John Harper