A German married couple has been arrested on suspicion of establishing contacts with German scientists to obtain information on technologies with potential military use for China, federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday (20.05.2026), Reuters reports.
The couple, identified only as Xuejun C. and Hua S. in accordance with German privacy rules, are suspected of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and seeking information on advanced technology with military applications, prosecutors added.
The arrests, which were carried out on Wednesday, come as German authorities warn of growing security concerns from China.
Concerned about technology transfers, the German government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited China in February, is trying to “de-risk” economic ties. Beijing has repeatedly denied the espionage allegations.
In the arrest warrant, the couple is accused of establishing contacts with scientists at German universities and research institutions, including professors in aerospace engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence.
They are also suspected of occasionally posing as translators or workers for an automobile manufacturer, prosecutors have announced.
Several scientists were lured to China for paid lectures to a civilian audience, when in reality, they were attended by representatives of state-owned defense companies, prosecutors added.
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