Germany Summons Chinese Envoy Over Reports of Russian Troops Training in China

Germany summoned China's ambassador in Berlin for urgent discussions following media reports that Chinese state actors, specifically the People's Liberation Army, are training Russian soldiers. The German foreign ministry characterized these reports as "deeply disturbing" and emphasized that any actions enabling Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine pose a threat to Germany's security.

The envoy was summoned on Thursday. The German government has consistently voiced concerns about China's support for Russia. This issue was a key topic during Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China in February, and Germany is actively discussing it with its European partners, according to the ministry.

These revelations surfaced amid a summit in Beijing attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. German daily Die Welt reported on May 20, citing classified documents from European intelligence services, that the Chinese army had secretly trained several hundred Russian soldiers on its territory. Some of these soldiers have reportedly been deployed in Ukraine. These claims could not be independently verified by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The German government's stance underscores the broader European concern regarding China's role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ministry reiterated that enabling Russia's war efforts directly impacts European security, highlighting the interconnectedness of international relations and the conflict's global implications.

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Anything that enables Russia to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine also represents a threat to our security.