Berlin
Reuters
–
Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday after saying that Chinese troops targeted German aircraft participating in European Union operations in the Red Sea.
Flare amidst the tensions are due to growing concern over the EU regarding China’s impact on key European technologies and security infrastructure.
“It is completely unacceptable to put German staff at risk and disrupt the business,” said the German Foreign Ministry on Social Media Platform X.
There was no immediate response from China’s Foreign Ministry, and the Chinese embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to email requests for comment.
The German Ministry of Defense said the aircraft that took part in the EU’s aspiring mission to protect international sea routes in the Red Sea had contributed to a multi-sensor platform, or “flying” for regional reconnaissance after October.
Chinese warships encountered several times in the region targeted the aircraft during regular mission flights without any reason or prior communication, a provincial spokesperson said. The incident took place in the beginning of July.
“With the use of lasers, warships put the safety of personnel and materials at risk,” the spokesman said, with mission flights being halted as a precautionary measure and the aircraft safely landing at a base in Djibouti.
The deployment of MSPs in Aspides has since resumed, he said.
The MSP is run by a private commercial service provider and is engaging with German military personnel, adding that the data collected has contributed significantly to the awareness of the partners.
China has previously denied accusations of US fire or pointing lasers. The incident involving European NATO members and China is even more unusual.
In 2020, the US Pacific Fleet said Chinese warships fired lasers on US Navy patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said it was not in line with the facts.
