Investigation opened into possible recruitment of ex-military pilots by Beijing

China is recruiting. Australia opened an investigation on Wednesday into what the defense minister called disturbing reports that Beijing recruited ex-Western military pilots to train its military. London had previously announced “decisive steps” to prevent Beijing from attracting ex-British military pilots. According to British press reports, more than thirty former pilots, including soldiers who have recently left the armed forces, have accepted offers of at least 240,000 pounds (some 276,000 euros) to train Chinese airmen. This practice has been going on since 2019, but has intensified recently, according to this information.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced an investigation into whether Australian pilots had also been recruited. “When our ADF (Australian Defense Force) personnel enlist in the defense forces, they do so to serve their country and we are deeply grateful to them,” he said in a statement. “I would be deeply shocked and disturbed to learn that there have been staff lured by a paycheck from a foreign state rather than serving their own country. »

Concern

British Secretary of State for Defense James Heappey stressed Tuesday morning that such collaborations had been a “concern” for “years”. “We are taking decisive steps to put an end to maneuvers aimed at attracting former or serving pilots from the British air force to train personnel for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” a porter told AFP. word of the UK Ministry of Defence. The spokesman for Chinese diplomacy, Wang Wenbin, assured that he had no knowledge of such a system. “I’m not aware of what you mention,” he said during a regular press briefing.

Richard Marles announced the launch of the Australian investigation from Tonga where he was attending a meeting of defense ministers from South Pacific countries. Australia and the United States are working to shore up diplomatic support as China expands its footprint in the Pacific.