"In these types of cases, sharing of information may give a foreign entity a tactical, military or competitive advantage by knowing the specification of vessels responsible for defending Canadian waters and Canadian sovereignty," Strachan said.
Strachan called it valuable research and development information. She said it could also provide an unfair competitive and economic advantage.
Police first learned of the situation on Thursday and were able to act swiftly to safeguard the information involved, Strachan said. "We are confident our prompt and firm intervention has limited the damage to our collective safety and security," Strachan said.
Stephen Lecce, a spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, praised police for their good work. RCMP Supt. Larry Tremblay said Canada's foreign affairs department has been in contact with their Chinese counterparts about the case.
The suspect is due back in court on Wednesday for a bail hearing. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
A Canadian navy intelligence officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison last February after pleading guilty to selling military secrets to Russia. Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle worked at a naval intelligence center and had access to information shared by Canada, the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Delisle admitted that he walked into the Russian embassy in Ottawa in 2007 and offered his services for money.