Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press conference in Beijing that the German accusations were groundless.

Wang reiterated China's firm opposition to any attempt to smear the Asian giant and demanded that Germany maintain proper vigilance to avoid damaging bilateral relations.

"We demand that Germany refrain from orchestrating malicious smear campaigns and stop any political show against China," he said.

"This is the way to maintain the stability and healthy development of our relations," he added, quoted by the Spanish agency EFE.

The German ambassador to Beijing, Patricia Flor, said on Thursday that she had been summoned by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which she described on social media as "a good opportunity to explain some issues".

The diplomat said she had made it clear that Germany does not tolerate espionage, regardless of the country involved.

German police arrested three people on Monday suspected of collaborating with the Chinese secret service and providing it with data on military technology.

The main defendant is a man from Bad Homburg (central Germany), who, according to the authorities, was in contact with a Chinese espionage agency.

The suspect was assisted by a couple who owned a company in Dusseldorf (west), through which contacts were established with German scientists and researchers.

According to the German Public Prosecutor's Office, the information provided to the Chinese side allegedly relates to modern components that can be used in warship engines.

The charges are espionage for a foreign power and violation of the export law.

Chinese President Xi Jinping received German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing last week and suggested that he see "bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective".

"China and Germany are the second and third largest economies in the world, and must consolidate and develop their relations," Xi said at the time.

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