Senior European Parliament officials have spoken to The European Conservative regarding their concerns about the role of one of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) MEP Maximilian Krah’s longtime aides, as well as Krah’s own integrity.
Jian Guo, a 42-year-old Chinese aide to Krah, evoked the suspicion of colleagues for his lack of proficient English or German, aggressive pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) lobbying, and regular liaisons with unknown Chinese delegations in the Parliament.
Parliamentary colleagues with knowledge of Guo’s employment with Krah told The European Conservative that they were unsure how Guo got the job considering his nationality, lack of English or German language skills, and the fact that he is older than most aides. They also noted that neither Guo nor Krah have provided any explanation for such irregularities. A Saxony-based MEP, Maximilian Krah has raised eyebrows before for his unusual pro-CCP foreign policy outlook and extensive business ties to the ruling CCP—including to the technology giant Huawei, which has been partially banned in the U.S. due to espionage concerns.
Speaking to The European Conservative, AfD MEP Nicolaus Fest said “there’s no smoke without fire” when it comes to the concerns about Guo’s role, adding that no one within the AfD delegation believes that Guo is there to advance the cause of the party. Fest said:
Mr. Guo is rarely ever seen or heard in the corridors of the Parliament. Nobody knows what he does, nobody has any contact with him, nobody seriously thinks he is here to progress the aims of the AfD. Rumour has it that he is paid on the lowest grade available. If this is found to be true, this not only raises more questions, but also suggests that his income might likely be topped up by other sources.
Fest also referred to Guo’s lack of a social media presence and failure to regularly turn up for work as causes for concern. Colleagues claim Guo was open about his pro-CCP sympathies on his recently-deleted Facebook page.
As part of its investigation, The European Conservative obtained internal communications which appear to show Guo offering AfD politicians trips to China with the promise that he could have COVID-19 restrictions relaxed for VIPs. He also displays insider knowledge of the Confucius Institute and has expressed a particular interest in private meetings among MEPs relating to EU-China policy. Colleagues also noted Guo’s insistence on giving out gifts of Chinese vodka for Christmas and haphazard attendance at work.
Guo is listed as the former managing director of a largely defunct German LED import company specialising in “transcultural communication between Germany and China” and offering translation services. Both Guo and the businesses are connected to a Dresden technical university known for its strong Chinese presence.
A LinkedIn page under Guo’s name and matching his professional background lists him as sitting on the committee of Chinese government-backed technology company, Shenzhen LED industry standard alliance, and holding a position in a manufacturing company, Fenda Technology, that specialises in making electronic equipment for the Huawei company. Huawei has attracted notoriety for its strong ties to the ruling CCP and security concerns due to its links to the Chinese intelligence services.
Guo has worked for Krah since 2019. Krah is noted for his vocal pro-CCP stances and financial ties to China, including links to Huawei, and who was active as vice chair of the now defunct EU-Chinese Friendship Group, recently shut down for its CCP ties. Authorities repeatedly labelled the Friendship Group as part of a wider Chinese influence operation and a threat to EU security.
The European Conservative has learned that Krah has been under separate investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in relation to corruption claims over a tendering process he and his staff were allegedly involved in.
Speaking to The European Conservative, a source within the ID group confirmed that the party had originally planned to discuss its claims regarding Jian Guo and the tendering investigation this afternoon. Sources close to the situation have told The European Conservative that files have been brought to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and said that Krah’s immunity is likely to be lifted on the basis of the original investigation by OLAF and that no other politicians were implicated.
Political pundits have described the AfD delegation in Brussels as being riven by factionalism over NATO and the war in Ukraine with Krah the champion of the anti-Atlanticist cause favouring greater ties with Russia, China, and even anti-Western nations such as Iran.
Krah is also known to have unusually favourable opinions on Qatar and Morocco with a strong relationship with their diplomatic contingents in Brussels. In correspondence seen by The European Conservative, staff for Krah are shown wanting to water down anti-Moroccan amendments in EU reports. Both countries have been central to the ongoing Qatargate scandal involving the influencing of MEPs through bribery.
In December, Krah was implicated in an undercover operation by Project Veritas in which he whitewashed human rights abuses in Qatar and questioned the EU’s fixation on certain human rights activists in the Middle East.
Despite our requests for written comment on the record, Krah has not provided an explanation for these allegations at the time of publication.
