Germany Calls in Chinese Envoy Over Laser Incident Involving Military Aircraft
The German foreign ministry has called in China’s ambassador to Berlin after reporting that the Chinese military directed a laser at a German aircraft participating in the EU’s Aspides mission, a maritime security operation aimed at protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
“Targeting German personnel and interfering with the mission is entirely unacceptable,” the ministry stated in a post on X regarding the diplomatic summons.
Neither the foreign ministry, the Chinese embassy, nor the Aspides mission provided immediate comments on the matter.
European authorities have frequently raised concerns over China’s involvement in critical infrastructure, including major shipping lanes.
The EU launched Aspides—derived from the Ancient Greek word for “shields”—as a defensive effort to ensure safe passage amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea.
Since the start of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, Iran-aligned Houthi forces have targeted Israeli interests and commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming these attacks are in support of Palestinians.
Germany has contributed to the Aspides mission since February 2024, with its parliament approving a deployment of up to 700 military personnel.
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