Latest news with #ChineseAmbassador
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Red Sea laser row rumbles on as China insists its warship did not target German plane
China's defence ministry has denied using lasers to target a German plane over the Red Sea as the two countries continue to trade barbs over the alleged incident. The German foreign ministry said on Tuesday that a People's Liberation Army warship had shone a laser at a German surveillance plane 'without reason or prior contact', and Berlin had summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest. But on Thursday the defence ministry told the South China Morning Post the accusation 'was completely inconsistent with the facts'. 'At that time, the Chinese naval vessel fleet was carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. It did not carry out operations in the Red Sea, nor activate any laser equipment,' the ministry said. 'We hope the German side respects the fact and steps up communication and coordination with the Chinese side, to maintain bilateral relations.' According to German media reports, the incident happened on July 2 off the coast of Yemen, and the Chinese vessel in question was a frigate that 'had been encountered several times in the area before'.
Reuters
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
EU summons Chinese ambassador over laser incident involving German aircraft
BRUSSELS, July 9 (Reuters) - The European Union has summoned the Chinese ambassador following an incident in which China's military allegedly targeted a German aircraft with a laser during an EU security mission in the Red Sea. China has denied the accusation. According to Germany, a Chinese warship used a laser to target a German patrol aircraft taking part in Operation ASPIDES, the EU-led mission tasked with protecting commercial vessels from Houthi rebel attacks. The incident reportedly occurred in early July during a routine flight, with no prior warning or communication from the Chinese vessel. "The Chinese military's use of a laser to target a German aircraft patrolling with EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea is dangerous and unacceptable," said Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy. "This act put personnel at risk and compromised the aircraft's mission." While German officials have reported multiple encounters with the same Chinese warship in the region, Beijing has rejected the claim, saying there is no evidence of hostile action. China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at U.S. planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are more unusual.
NHK
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Germany protests to China over laser targeting of German reconnaissance aircraft
Germany says it has protested to China over laser targeting of a German reconnaissance aircraft over the Red Sea by a Chinese warship this month. The German foreign ministry and defense ministry say the aircraft, chartered by the military, was taking part in an EU-led mission to protect ships from Yemen's Houthi rebels. The foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador to Germany on Tuesday to protest the endangerment of German personnel and the disruption of the operation. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed outrage over the incident in a local media interview. He said Germany is prepared to deal with China as an equal partner and continually seek cooperation, but Berlin will clearly reject any behavior by Beijing that violates the rules. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson told reporters on Wednesday that Germany's information was totally inconsistent with the facts grasped by the Chinese side. The Chinese official said the two sides should take a fact-based attitude and strengthen communication to avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment.
Bloomberg
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Germany Summons Chinese Envoy After Laser Targeted Plane
Germany summoned China 's ambassador over accusations that a military plane was endangered by a Chinese warship. As part of the European Union -led ASPIDES operation to protect sea lanes in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthi militia, a German surveillance aircraft was targeted with a laser without cause or warning, according to the German defense ministry. In response to the incident, China's ambassador was summoned to the foreign ministry in Berlin.
Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Germany accuses China of targeting spy plane with a laser
Germany has accused the Chinese military of targeting a German spy plane with a laser in the Gulf region. The German foreign ministry said the incident involved an aircraft taking part in Aspides, an EU mission to defend trade ships in the Red Sea from Houthi rocket attacks. Berlin summoned the Chinese ambassador on Tuesday in response to the incident. 'The endangerment of German personnel and the disruption of the operation are totally unacceptable. The Chinese ambassador was summoned today to the Foreign Office,' the German foreign ministry said in a statement. According to German media, the incident took place on July 2 near the coast of Yemen, where the Houthi militia group has launched new attacks on cargo ships passing through the Red Sea. The German aircraft was taking part in a routine flight and was 'blinded' without warning by a laser projected from a Chinese military ship, the Bild newspaper reported. A German ministry of defence spokesman said the aircraft was an MSP (Multi-Sensor Platform), a type of surveillance aircraft often fitted with high-powered cameras and thermal vision. 'During a routine mission over the Red Sea as part of Aspides, an MSP aircraft used for maritime surveillance was lasered by a Chinese warship which had already been encountered in the area several times, and without any reason or prior contact,' the spokesman told Bild. 'The use of the laser was a risk to personnel and equipment.' After being hit by the laser, the German plane's crew abandoned their mission and returned to their base in Djibouti, in the Gulf of Aden. It is not the first time China has been accused of using lasers to interfere with Western aircraft flying over the Red Sea or surrounding area. In 2018, lasers were pointed at US military aircraft from a Chinese base, also in Djibouti, with the crew suffering minor injuries. The United States lodged a formal protest at the time, but China denied any involvement. Lasers are a significant security risk to aircraft, because if they are pointed at a pilot they can distract them or cause temporary blindness. In the UK, using any laser device to harass an aircraft can lead to an unlimited fine or a prison sentence.
