German authorities arrest couple suspected of spying for China on high-tech intelligence
German federal prosecutors arrested a married couple, Xuejun C. and Hua S., in Munich on May 20, 2026, for allegedly spying for China. They are accused of posing as translators or automotive employees to contact German scientists in aerospace, AI, and computer science, luring them to China for paid lectures attended by Chinese state-owned defense firms. The goal was to obtain technology with military applications. China denied the allegations. The arrests occurred amid diplomatic talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and China in February.
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German authorities arrest 2 on China high-tech espionage allegations
German federal prosecutors arrested two Munich residents, identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S., on suspicion of spying for China. The married couple, German citizens, are accused of working for a Chinese intelligence service to obtain high-tech information with military applications. They allegedly built contacts with scientists at German universities, particularly professors in aerospace, space travel, IT, and artificial intelligence, posing as translators or employees of a German car parts supplier. Prosecutors claim they lured scientists to China under the guise of civilian lectures, which were actually presented to state-run weapons companies. The arrests occurred on May 20, 2026, following a warrant issued a week earlier, with searches conducted in Munich and other locations across six German states. The couple was taken to Karlsruhe for a detention hearing.
Deutsche WelleGerman Authorities Arrest Married Couple Suspected of Spying for China
Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of a married couple, identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S., on suspicion of spying for China. The couple is accused of illegally establishing contacts with scientists at German universities and research institutions, including professors specializing in aerospace engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. They allegedly posed as translators or employees in the automotive industry to gather intelligence on technologies with potential military applications. The suspects reportedly succeeded in persuading some scientists to travel to China and deliver paid lectures, which were attended by representatives of Chinese state-owned defense companies. China has denied all allegations of espionage. The arrest comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited China in February for talks focused on trade and economic cooperation.
Defence24.comGerman Authorities Arrest Couple Suspected of Spying for China
Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of a married couple, identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S., on suspicion of spying for China. The couple is accused of illegally establishing contacts with scientists at German universities and research institutions, particularly in aerospace engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence, to obtain intelligence on technologies with potential military applications. They allegedly posed as translators or automotive industry employees and succeeded in persuading some scientists to travel to China for paid lectures, which were reportedly attended by representatives of Chinese state-owned defense companies. China has denied all espionage allegations. The arrest comes amid ongoing diplomatic and trade discussions, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited China in February to discuss trade issues and improving cooperation.
Defence24.comGerman Authorities Arrest Married Couple Suspected of Spying for China
Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of a married couple, identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S., on suspicion of spying for China. The couple is accused of illegally establishing contacts with scientists at German universities and research institutions, particularly in aerospace engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. They allegedly posed as translators or automotive industry employees to gain access. The suspects reportedly succeeded in persuading some scientists to travel to China and deliver paid lectures, which were attended by representatives of Chinese state-owned defense companies. The intelligence sought involved technologies with potential military applications. China has denied all espionage allegations. The arrest comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited China in February for talks focused on trade and economic cooperation.
Defence24.comGerman Authorities Arrest Married Couple Suspected of Spying for China
Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of a married couple, identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S., on suspicion of spying for China. The couple is accused of illegally establishing contacts with scientists at German universities and research institutions, including professors specializing in aerospace engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. They allegedly posed as translators or employees in the automotive industry to gather intelligence on technologies with potential military applications. The suspects reportedly succeeded in persuading some scientists to travel to China and deliver paid lectures, which were attended by representatives of Chinese state-owned defense companies. China has denied all allegations of espionage. The arrest comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited China in February for talks focused on trade and economic cooperation.
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