China has denied Germany's accusation that one of its warships targeted a German military aircraft with a laser, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Germany claims the incident occurred earlier this month during an EU-led operation in the Red Sea, aimed at protecting ships from missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. According to Berlin, a Chinese warship fired a laser at a German reconnaissance plane, forcing it to abort its mission and return to a military base in Djibouti for safety.
The German foreign ministry summoned China’s ambassador, condemning the act as “entirely unacceptable” and accusing Beijing of endangering German personnel and disrupting the mission. The EU also summoned China’s envoy, with EU foreign policy spokesperson Anouar El Anouni calling the incident “dangerous and unacceptable.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, dismissed Germany’s claims, stating they were “inconsistent with the facts.” She said Chinese naval forces were conducting routine escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia’s coast, urging Germany to adopt a “fact-based attitude” to avoid misunderstandings.
This is not the first time China has faced accusations of using lasers against military aircraft, with similar claims previously made by the US, which Beijing also denied. Lasers can disorient pilots or, in advanced forms, disable airborne targets.
China has maintained a military presence in Djibouti since 2017, operating a base it says supports anti-piracy and maritime navigation efforts. The strategically vital Red Sea, near the Suez Canal, is a key global shipping route, and Western nations have raised concerns about China’s growing regional influence.
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