UPDATE 1-Germany arrests married couple on suspicion of spying for China

​A German married couple ​was arrested on suspicion ‌of building ​contacts with German scientists to obtain intelligence on technologies with possible military use for ‌China, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The couple, identified only as Xuejun C. and Hua S. in line with German privacy rules, ‌are suspected of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and ‌of seeking information on high-tech with military applications, prosecutors added. The arrests, which took place on Wednesday, come as German authorities warn of growing security ⁠concerns ​from China.

Worried ⁠about technology transfer, the German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited China ⁠in February, is seeking to "de-risk" economic ties. Beijing has repeatedly denied accusations ​of espionage. In the arrest warrant, the couple were accused ⁠of establishing contacts with scientists at German universities and research institutions, including professors ⁠in ​aerospace engineering, computer science, and AI.

They were also suspected of at times posing as interpreters or employees of an ⁠auto manufacturer, said prosecutors. Some scientists were lured to China to give ⁠paid ⁠lectures to a civilian audience when in reality, representatives of state-owned defense companies were attending, prosecutors added.

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