Germany has officially conducted military training programs with China in the past. Indeed, it is common for militaries to exchange technical and tactical experience. It is also not unusual for service members to take their unique skill set to the private sector after they retire.
But when it comes to China these days, these norms are getting a closer look. That was made clear recently by the strong reaction in Germany to a report shining a light on an otherwise mundane practice: A “handful” of retired German air force pilots, according to the magazine, Spiegel, and public broadcaster, ZDF, have gone to China on lucrative private training contracts.
