Chinese officials have accused a Canadian couple from Vancouver of espionage and stealing state secrets in Liaoning Province.

According to Press TV, the Garrets, who have been living in northeast China since 1984, were arrested on Monday.

The State Security Bureau of Dandong City is investigating the suspects for theft of state secrets about China's military and national defense research.

Theft of state secrets is a very serious crime in China, punishable with life in prison, or the death penalty in certain circumstances.

The Canadians were well-known among locals for conducting weekly English tutoring sessions.

The arrests were made one week after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly accused China of acts of cyber espionage.