Bangladesh, Oct. 4 -- The recent conviction of Jian Guo, a naturalized German citizen accused of spying for China for nearly two decades, marks one of the most significant espionage trials in Germany in recent years. The case underscores both the persistence of Chinese intelligence activities in Europe and the troubling vulnerability of dissident communities and democratic institutions to infiltration. Guos conviction not only sheds light on Beijings global repression tactics but also exposes glaring weaknesses in Europes ability to counter such operations.

Jian Guo, who moved to Germany as a student more than 20 years ago, initially cultivated an image of a committed democracy activist. He integrated himself into the heart of dissident ...