China's recent probe into a Canadian couple suspected of spying heightened the tensions between Ottawa and Beijing just months before Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper is set to visit China.

Chinese authorities detained Kevin Garratt and Julia Dawn Garratt, both long-time residents and owners of a coffee shop near the China-North Korea border, as they are suspected of stealing military and intelligence data crucial to national security. Their arrest could make the situation more difficult for the few ministers in the Canadian government who want to foster closer economic ties with Beijing, explained Reuters.

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The arrest of the Garratts comes one week after Canada accused China-based hackers of breaching a major computer network. Beijing responded by saying the allegations were "irresponsible."

The spying case and the hacking incident are expected to affect Harper's trip to Beijing for a regional summit in November. The visit could include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Since the Conservatives took their seat in the Canadian government in 2006, they displayed an inconsistent stance on their ties with China. This reflects a division between the members who are in favor of improving business and the social conservatives who are wary of Beijing.

Paul Evans, a Canada-based expert on China, explained that the Canadian cabinet is divided on how to address the spying issue. He said the cabinet launched multiple attempts in the past to come up with an agreeable China strategy but failed to do so.

Employment Minister Jason Kenney, the unofficial leader of the influential social conservatives, is suspicious of China and is hesitant in getting too close. According to government sources, the ministers are divided in their opinions on Canada's ties with China.

Harper's last visit to China was in February 2012 when he promised to do his best to boost Canadian crude export and Chinese investment in their country. A few months after, Chinese state-run firm CNOOC Ltd made a bid to buy Alberta-based energy firm Nexen and the offer took Canada aback.

Despite opposition from Conservatives, Harper gave the green light for the Nexen deal in December 2012 but limited the ownership of the Chinese firm in Canada's energy sector. The deal was clearly a letdown for Kenney, who one of the top candidates to replace Harper in the future.

Based on a survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada in June, Canadian support for closer Asian ties is decreasing. Only 41 percent of the respondents, down from last year's 48 percent, viewed China's economic rise as an opportunity rather than a threat.

TagsOttawa, Stephen Harper, Kevin Garratt, Julia Dawn Garratt, Reuters, Paul Evans, Jason Kenney, CNOOC Ltd, Nexen, Alberta, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada