Updated on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 00:00 IST

Los Angeles, March 28: US engineer Chi Mak has went on trial on charges he exported US military submarine secrets to China.

He is accused of working with his relatives, all of Chinese origin, to deliver copies of sensitive military information to the Chinese government without an export license.

"Opening statements could begin later this week for a trial US District Judge Cormac Carney has said could run four to six weeks," said assistant prosecutor Greg Staples said.

Jury selection from among 75 prospective jurors began in the Santa Ana courtroom outside Los Angeles yesterday.

The former top engineer had access to military technology on silencing submarines at a US corporation with contacts in the US Navy.

Mak could face as much as 50 years in prison if he is found guilty.

The Guangzhou, China native has been a US citizen since 1985.

Mak, who is also charged with acting as an agent of China in the United States and with making false statements, was arrested after agents swooped down on two relatives at Los Angeles international airport as they prepared to board a flight to Hong Kong.

According to Justice Department documents, the duo were caught with a disk containing sensitive encrypted data on US submarines hidden inside an English-language CD course.

Mak has not been charged with espionage because the information on the disk has not officially been deemed classified.

Bureau Report