BEIJING (AFP) - Beijing on Monday dismissed as "groundless" allegations that a Canadian naval engineer is a Chinese spy.

Qing Quentin Huang, 53, was charged at the weekend under Canada's Security of Information Act with two counts of attempting to communicate classified information to a foreign entity.

He is alleged to have shared details about Canada's shipbuilding procurement strategy, including patrol ships, frigates, naval auxiliary vessels, science research vessels and ice breakers.

He is being held pending a bail hearing on Wednesday, and could face life in prison if convicted.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a regular briefing Monday: "The remark saying that a Canadian-Chinese male provided confidential information to the Chinese government is totally groundless."

London-based maritime classification group Lloyd's Register lists Huang as a surveyor, while a LinkedIn profile describes him as a naval engineer at the company.