China disputes Germany’s claim that it targets a military aircraft as diplomatic quarrels between the two countries deepen.
Germany accused China of trying to destroy one of its aircraft earlier this month as it was participating in an EU-led operation aimed at protecting ships in the Red Sea from missiles launched by Yemen’s Hotti Rebels group.
The German Foreign Ministry convened the Chinese ambassador and described the incident as “completely unacceptable.” According to Reuters, China’s EU envoy was also summoned by the group.
Beijing retreated, saying that Germany’s statement was “completely inconsistent with what the Chinese side knew.”
On Tuesday, Germany said a reconnaissance aircraft flew across the Red Sea, and several European countries have been contributing to surveillance and defense efforts since early 2024 to protect ships from conventional attacks launched by Yemen.
Germany said the laser was launched from a Chinese warship, which was discovered several times without communicating with passing aircraft.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aircraft was forced to abandon its mission and return to a military base in Djibouti, an East African country, to take precautionary measures.
Berlin responded in anger to the incident, accusing China of “hiding German personnel and sabotaging operations.”
The Chinese government responded on Wednesday, with spokesman Mao Ning telling the press conference that its navy has been conducting “escort operations” on the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia.
She said Germany and China should “take a fact-based attitude and strengthen communication in a timely manner to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments.”
China has been accused of using lasers to target military aircraft, mainly targeted by the United States. China denies doing so.
Lasers can be used to blind pilots, and the global military is developing a new class of powerful lasers that can disable targets in the air.
China established a permanent military presence in the region in 2017 when it opened a base in Djibouti, which Beijing said was used for freedom of anti-piracy and maritime navigation operations.
Western governments have expressed concern about China’s ambitions for the region since opening its base in Djibouti, and the United States, Japan, France and others also have military devices.
It is located at a strategic pinch point leading to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal – one of the most important transportation routes in the world.
