China has dismissed allegations made by Germany that a Chinese warship fired a laser at a German military aircraft over the Red Sea, calling the claim “totally inconsistent with the facts.” The incident, reported earlier this week by German authorities, has triggered a diplomatic row between the two nations.

According to Berlin, a reconnaissance plane participating in an EU-led maritime mission was forced to abandon its surveillance flight and return to base in Djibouti after being targeted. German officials described the laser strike as “entirely unacceptable” and accused China of endangering personnel and obstructing the operation.

Beijing Pushes Back Amid Regional Tensions

China’s foreign ministry stated that its naval forces were carrying out “escort operations” off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden at the time. Spokesperson Mao Ning called for Germany to adopt a “fact-based attitude” and emphasized the need for open communication to avoid misjudgments.

The Chinese ship in question reportedly made no contact with the German aircraft during the encounter, further fueling Berlin’s frustration. As part of its protest, Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador, and the EU reportedly summoned China’s envoy to Brussels as well.

Lasers And Military Surveillance

Military-grade lasers have previously been linked to similar incidents involving Chinese forces. Such devices can be used to interfere with aircraft systems or disorient pilots, raising concerns about their use in international airspace. China has consistently denied engaging in such tactics.

The Red Sea has become a zone of heightened military activity due to repeated missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. European forces, including Germany, have been deployed since early 2024 to safeguard commercial shipping lanes through one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.