China Dismisses Espionage Allegations Tied to German Far-Right Politician’s Aide

China on Wednesday firmly denied accusations of espionage after a close aide to a far-right German lawmaker was formally charged with spying for Chinese intelligence.

Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the allegations as “fictitious and malicious,” and rejected the idea that China poses an espionage threat to Germany.

The remarks come a day after German prosecutors announced that a man identified as Jian G., a German national and aide to European Parliament member Maximilian Krah of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, had allegedly passed sensitive parliamentary information to Chinese intelligence services.

Jian G. was arrested in April 2024 in Dresden, with authorities claiming he transferred over 500 documents, some labeled as highly classified. He is also accused of monitoring Chinese dissidents residing in Germany.

German officials also searched offices linked to both Jian G. and Krah in the European Parliament’s Brussels building following the arrest.

In response, Guo called on Germany to stop “slandering China” and instead focus on preserving the “positive momentum” in bilateral relations. He reiterated that China remains committed to the principle of mutual respect in its international dealings.