Following the arrest of two German nationals suspected of espionage for China, security policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) fears that there are many other undiscovered cases. According to Kiesewetter, the recent case is merely the tip of the iceberg. He stated to the “Handelsblatt” that China operates utilizing a very targeted, long-term strategy, bolstered by a broad network of soft power. This influence is exerted through various channels, including culture, education, research, economics, and connections to key decision-makers. The CDU politician added that Germany is proving insufficiently resilient and alarmingly naïve regarding China’s hybrid approach.
Kiesewetter explained that China has been escalating its hybrid warfare against the West for years. These methods include cyberattacks, espionage, transnational repression-which means applying pressure on individuals abroad-and geoeconomic coercion, such as utilizing economic pressure to enforce political objectives. He warned that Germany is particularly vulnerable in the areas of economy and science. According to him, Beijing is actively attempting to exploit know-how in fields such as military technology, robotics, advanced manufacturing processes like 3D printing, dual-use technologies, artificial intelligence, and computer science, with the ultimate goal of turning it against Germany.
In response, Kiesewetter demanded that efforts to counter Chinese espionage and build national resilience must be enhanced. To achieve this, he suggested implementing measures such as banning certain research collaborations and restricting the access of Chinese researchers. Furthermore, he stressed that a complete change in Germany’s overall policy towards China is absolutely necessary. As an immediate first step, he argued that the Chinese ambassador must be summoned, and the recently proclaimed unilateral strategic partnership with China must be abandoned.
