By Sean Seddon, BBC News

Image: Reuters/Taiwan Coast Guard – A Chinese warship off the coast of Taiwan

China has rejected Germany’s accusation that one of its warships targeted a German military aircraft with a laser, escalating tensions between the two nations.

Germany claims the incident occurred earlier this month during an EU-led mission in the Red Sea, where European forces have been protecting commercial ships from missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels since early 2024. According to Berlin, a Chinese warship fired a laser at a German reconnaissance plane, forcing it to abort its mission and return to a military base in Djibouti for safety.

The German foreign ministry labeled the act “entirely unacceptable,” summoning China’s ambassador to Berlin and raising the issue with China’s EU envoy, as reported by Reuters. Germany stated that the Chinese warship, observed multiple times in the area, made no attempt to communicate with the aircraft and accused China of endangering its personnel and disrupting the operation.

In response, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, dismissed Germany’s account as “inconsistent with the facts.” Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, she defended China’s naval activities, stating that its warships were conducting routine escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia’s coast. Mao urged Germany to adopt a “fact-based approach” and enhance communication to prevent misunderstandings.

This is not the first time China has faced accusations of using lasers against military aircraft. The United States has previously made similar claims, which Beijing has consistently denied. Lasers can disorient pilots or, in advanced cases, disable aircraft, with militaries globally developing such technologies.

China’s military presence in the region has grown since establishing a base in Djibouti in 2017, which it describes as supporting anti-piracy and maritime navigation efforts. The base, located near the strategic Red Sea and Suez Canal shipping routes, has raised concerns among Western nations, particularly as the US, Japan, France, and others also maintain military facilities in Djibouti.