Several German media outlets revealed on Friday that several former German air force pilots had been recruited for several years by China. Their salaries would be channelled through shell companies based in Seychelles.
Some of them were reportedly employed by the company of a member of the Chinese secret service. Berlin fears that the Atlantic Alliance's operational secrets and tactics could be revealed to China. Similar cases have come to light in recent years in the United Kingdom and the United States, according to ZDF.