Germany claims its reconnaissance aircraft was targeted by a laser from a Chinese warship, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
**China Disputes Germany's Allegations of Laser Incident Involving Military Plane**
**China Disputes Germany's Allegations of Laser Incident Involving Military Plane**
Amid rising tensions, Beijing counters accusations from Berlin regarding its military operations in the Red Sea.
China has rejected Germany's allegations that it aimed a laser at a German military plane, marking a significant diplomatic conflict between the two countries. The German government had accused China of endangering one of its reconnaissance aircraft during European Union-led operations in the Red Sea earlier this month, which aimed to shield vessels from missile strikes instigated by Yemen's Houthi rebel group.
In response, the German foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador, labeling the incident as "entirely unacceptable." Following this, the EU's envoy from China was also called in for dialogue, as reported by Reuters. China's response was firm; Beijing claimed that Germany's interpretation was "totally inconsistent" with the facts known to them.
On Tuesday, German officials disclosed that their reconnaissance plane encountered the laser while executing its mission over the Red Sea, an area where several European nations have been actively monitoring maritime threats since early 2024. The source of the laser was identified as a Chinese warship, which had been sighted multiple times but failed to communicate with the aircraft, leading to the plane's retreat to a military base in Djibouti as a safety measure.
The incident has incited a strong response from Berlin, which accused China of risking the safety of its personnel and interfering with vital operations. A spokesperson from the Chinese government, Mao Ning, articulated that Chinese naval forces were engaged in "escort operations" in the Gulf of Aden and along the Somalia coast. She urged both nations to adopt a fact-based approach and enhance communication to prevent misunderstandings.
Historically, China has been accused of utilizing lasers to target military aircraft, predominantly by the United States, which China continuously denies. Military advancements globally include the development of powerful lasers with capabilities to compromise aerial targets. Since establishing a military presence in Djibouti in 2017, China has faced scrutiny from Western nations regarding its intentions in a region that is crucial for global maritime logistics, particularly at the junction leading to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
In response, the German foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador, labeling the incident as "entirely unacceptable." Following this, the EU's envoy from China was also called in for dialogue, as reported by Reuters. China's response was firm; Beijing claimed that Germany's interpretation was "totally inconsistent" with the facts known to them.
On Tuesday, German officials disclosed that their reconnaissance plane encountered the laser while executing its mission over the Red Sea, an area where several European nations have been actively monitoring maritime threats since early 2024. The source of the laser was identified as a Chinese warship, which had been sighted multiple times but failed to communicate with the aircraft, leading to the plane's retreat to a military base in Djibouti as a safety measure.
The incident has incited a strong response from Berlin, which accused China of risking the safety of its personnel and interfering with vital operations. A spokesperson from the Chinese government, Mao Ning, articulated that Chinese naval forces were engaged in "escort operations" in the Gulf of Aden and along the Somalia coast. She urged both nations to adopt a fact-based approach and enhance communication to prevent misunderstandings.
Historically, China has been accused of utilizing lasers to target military aircraft, predominantly by the United States, which China continuously denies. Military advancements globally include the development of powerful lasers with capabilities to compromise aerial targets. Since establishing a military presence in Djibouti in 2017, China has faced scrutiny from Western nations regarding its intentions in a region that is crucial for global maritime logistics, particularly at the junction leading to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
