Alice Weidel, leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, secretly met with China's ambassador to Germany, Wu Ken, for years. According to an investigation by the German newspaper Bild, Weidel held off-the-record meetings with Wu once a month at a hidden location in Berlin. When confronted with the findings, Weidel admitted to the meetings but insisted they happened "maybe once in nine months."
Weidel explained that she wanted to understand China’s perspective on Germany. She stated, “How do the Chinese see the situation in Ukraine together with Russia? The Chinese attach great importance to formalities.” However, she did not reveal specific details about their discussions.
Political Impact Ahead of Elections
Significantly, the revelations come just days before Germany's parliamentary elections. The AfD, which has already unsettled mainstream politicians, is performing well in opinion polls. In fact, the party currently stands second and has surpassed the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD). While AfD’s links to the neo-Nazi movement have previously raised concerns, these hidden meetings with China are now adding fresh worries.
Critics argue that China may have influenced Weidel, who is a top contender for the German chancellorship. This suspicion is particularly troubling because Russia has long supported European far-right groups, and China is a close ally of Moscow. Moreover, the French far-right party National Rally (RN) even cut ties with the AfD in last year’s European Union (EU) elections. Allegations of AfD’s espionage for China reportedly contributed to this split.
Undisclosed Meetings in Berlin
Additionally, Bild reported that Weidel's meetings with Wu were not listed in her official calendar. Two AfD sources revealed that these meetings were secret. Apparently, the meetings took place at a private residence in southwest Berlin, heavily secured with fences and guard dogs. Surprisingly, the report also stated that Wu met Weidel more often than he met German foreign ministry officials.
When questioned, Weidel attempted to downplay the situation. She mentioned she had made “several” visits to Wu’s residence but not as frequently as reported. Furthermore, she added that her goal was to learn about China’s view on global matters, especially the Ukraine war.
Weidel’s Deep Ties to China
On top of that, Weidel's connection to China goes back decades. She developed an interest in the country as a teenager. At 14, she started learning Mandarin and is now fluent. As an economist, she worked for the state-owned Bank of China and lived in China for six years, reportedly on a scholarship. Moreover, she wrote her doctoral thesis on China's pension system and worked at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
A Troubling Family History
To make matters worse, Weidel's past is also marked by her family's Nazi ties. Despite leading a party with neo-Nazi connections, her grandparents were members of the Nazi Party. Her grandfather, Hans Weidel, served as a judge under Adolf Hitler’s regime and persecuted political opponents.
Ultimately, the latest findings have intensified scrutiny over Weidel. Many now question whether China groomed her to push its agenda in Germany and Europe. As the election draws near, these revelations could influence voters and significantly impact AfD’s political prospects.