Germany Summons Chinese Ambassador Following Military Laser Incident

Germany's Foreign Office has officially summoned the Chinese ambassador, Deng Hongbo, in response to a serious incident involving the Chinese military, which targeted a German Bundeswehr aircraft with a laser. This incident came to light as the German Ministry announced on platform X, detailing that the aircraft was part of the EU mission Aspides, aimed at safeguarding civilian shipping in the Red Sea against Islamist militia attacks from Yemen. According to reports from the German Press Agency, the troubling event occurred earlier in July when a German surveillance plane was flying over the Red Sea. The aircraft was reportedly aimed at by a laser from a Chinese warship, with the incident being classified as a provocative military gesture. Major German newspapers, such as Spiegel and Bild, corroborated that the event took place near the coast of Yemen. Germany's Ministry of Defense characterized the targeting of the aircraft as an unprovoked action by the Chinese ship, which had previously engaged with the German military during routine operations in the area. The ministry condemned the use of a laser, noting that it endangered lives and posed a substantial risk to the aircraft. Consequently, the mission flight was aborted, and the aircraft safely returned to its base in Djibouti, with all crew members unharmed. The Aspides mission, established in October 2024, is strategically significant, involving approximately 30 German soldiers and allowing for a maximum of 700 in total. It utilizes advanced aerial reconnaissance technology in the form of a MultiSensor Platform (MSP) to support mission oversight and ensure maritime safety. The summons of Ambassador Deng Hongbo represents a significant diplomatic rebuke, signaling the seriousness with which Germany views this incident. It also emphasizes the deteriorating relationship between Germany and China, particularly regarding military conduct in international waters. This confrontation is not an isolated incident; previously, high-level discussions had taken place to protest the actions of the Chinese military. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's office had already registered a strong objection internally and pushed for a recalibration of China's military engagement in international contexts. During a visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, German officials expressed deep concern over this incident, reiterating that such behaviors could not continue. The message was clear: Germany expects concrete action from China to prevent further tensions, especially in relation to military provocations, cyberattacks, and other forms of transnational repression. As geopolitical tensions escalate, this incident underscores the fragile balance of international relations in the region and calls for ongoing vigilance among military operations and diplomatic engagement. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2