Three German citizens suspected of gathering sensitive naval data and acquiring a high-powered laser for the Chinese security services were apprehended by prosecutors on Monday. This highlights the delicate nature of the relationship between the two countries.
A man known as Thomas R., acting as an “agent” for the Chinese Ministry of State Security, enlisted the help of a married couple, Herwig and Ina F., who operated an engineering company in Düsseldorf, according to authorities.
The timing of the arrests is awkward for the German government, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently visited China to sign trade agreements. However, Germany remains cautious of the threats posed by China.
German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser emphasized the significant risk of Chinese espionage to business, industry, and science. She highlighted the need for increased protective measures to mitigate these risks.
Meanwhile, British authorities announced on Monday that the two individuals had been charged with violating the Official Secrets Act in connection with China.
Last week, Volkswagen confirmed a separate incident where Chinese hackers stole sensitive documents over a four-year period. This incident underscored the threat China poses to German companies.
With China being Germany’s fourth largest export market, experts are warning of China’s aggressive trade practices. The German government has labeled China as a “systemic rival” in a national strategy paper released last year.
The arrests coincided with police searches of the suspects’ residences and workplaces in Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg.
Herwig and Ina F. used their company, which had previous projects in China, to form a research partnership with a German university. They disguised their activities by commissioning a study on machine parts vital for high-powered ship motors, used in navy vessels.
The couple also purchased a dual-use laser through their company and exported it to China without the necessary permit. German Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann warned of severe consequences for those working for foreign intelligence services illegally exporting military-use materials.
The federal prosecutor revealed that the suspects had been working on research projects benefiting the Chinese Navy since at least June 2022. There was no public response from Chinese authorities regarding the arrests.
