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Merkel in China: US spying allegations 'serious' | Merkel in China: US spying allegations 'serious' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has voiced concern about an alleged US spy in German intelligence, in her first comments on the affair. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel has voiced concern about an alleged US spy in German intelligence, in her first comments on the affair. |
Speaking on a visit to China, Ms Merkel said that if the allegations about a double agent were true, it would constitute a serious breach of trust. | Speaking on a visit to China, Ms Merkel said that if the allegations about a double agent were true, it would constitute a serious breach of trust. |
"It would be a clear contradiction of what I consider to be trusting co-operation" with the US, she said. | "It would be a clear contradiction of what I consider to be trusting co-operation" with the US, she said. |
She was speaking at a news conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. | She was speaking at a news conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. |
It is the second day of her three-day visit, which is dominated by trade issues. | It is the second day of her three-day visit, which is dominated by trade issues. |
Last week a German employee of the country's foreign intelligence service (BND) was arrested. | Last week a German employee of the country's foreign intelligence service (BND) was arrested. |
The man is suspected of having handed over more than 200 documents over a two-year period in exchange for 25,000 euros (£20,000; $34,000). | The man is suspected of having handed over more than 200 documents over a two-year period in exchange for 25,000 euros (£20,000; $34,000). |
"If the reports are correct, it would be a serious case," Ms Merkel said on Monday. | "If the reports are correct, it would be a serious case," Ms Merkel said on Monday. |
German Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere has asked the US for clarification. | German Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere has asked the US for clarification. |
German-US relations have been strained since it emerged that the US National Security Agency had been monitoring Ms Merkel's mobile phone calls. | German-US relations have been strained since it emerged that the US National Security Agency had been monitoring Ms Merkel's mobile phone calls. |
The scale of NSA surveillance was revealed by US whistleblower Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who remains a fugitive in Russia. | The scale of NSA surveillance was revealed by US whistleblower Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who remains a fugitive in Russia. |
Ms Merkel is on her seventh visit to China since taking office in 2005. | Ms Merkel is on her seventh visit to China since taking office in 2005. |
At the Beijing news conference Premier Li denied allegations of Chinese-sponsored cyber espionage. "China and Germany, it can be said, are both victims of hacking attacks," he said. | At the Beijing news conference Premier Li denied allegations of Chinese-sponsored cyber espionage. "China and Germany, it can be said, are both victims of hacking attacks," he said. |
Ms Merkel is due to attend a meeting of the China-Germany Economic and Trade Commission. She will then meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later on Monday. | Ms Merkel is due to attend a meeting of the China-Germany Economic and Trade Commission. She will then meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later on Monday. |
On Sunday she visited Chengdu, the capital of China's south-western Sichuan province where more than 150 German companies are active. | On Sunday she visited Chengdu, the capital of China's south-western Sichuan province where more than 150 German companies are active. |
China is Germany's second-largest export market outside Europe after the US. | China is Germany's second-largest export market outside Europe after the US. |
It sold goods worth 67bn euros (£53bn; $91bn) to China last year, while imports from China topped 73bn euros. | It sold goods worth 67bn euros (£53bn; $91bn) to China last year, while imports from China topped 73bn euros. |
Ms Merkel's visit to China as chancellor may signal the growing importance of Chinese-German relations but there are problems, reports the BBC's Martin Patience from Beijing. | Ms Merkel's visit to China as chancellor may signal the growing importance of Chinese-German relations but there are problems, reports the BBC's Martin Patience from Beijing. |
German companies have complained that Chinese businesses are ripping off their technology while other companies have said that they are not being paid on time. | German companies have complained that Chinese businesses are ripping off their technology while other companies have said that they are not being paid on time. |