BEIJING – China has criticized Germany for “hyping up” alleged espionage risks after German prosecutors charged three individuals with supplying technological information to Chinese intelligence. The incident marks the latest in a series of spying accusations straining Sino-German relations.
Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office announced on Thursday that three German citizens, identified only as Herwig F, Ina F, and Thomas R, had collected information on advanced technologies with potential military applications. The information reportedly focused on enhancing China’s naval combat capabilities and was shared with China between 2017 and 2024.
Prosecutors allege Thomas R acted as an agent for an employee of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) and collaborated with the married couple Herwig and Ina F, who operated a company in Duesseldorf. The trio was arrested in April 2024 and formally charged in December.
In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun called on Germany to avoid sensationalizing espionage risks, urging Berlin to maintain “mutual respect” and ensure the stability of China-Germany relations. Guo emphasized China’s commitment to lawful interactions and non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs.
This case is part of a growing list of alleged Chinese espionage activities in Germany. In October, German authorities arrested a Chinese woman accused of spying on defense industry installations, allegedly under the direction of another suspected Chinese operative. In December, a Chinese man was investigated for photographing naval bases along Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, prompting Beijing to accuse Berlin of “manipulation and smearing.”
The charges against the three individuals underscore heightened scrutiny of China’s intelligence activities in Europe. Analysts suggest these developments could further strain diplomatic ties and complicate economic relations between the two nations.