China has dismissed Germany’s accusation that a Chinese warship targeted a German military aircraft with a laser, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Earlier this month, Germany claimed that China sought to interfere with one of its military planes during an operation under the European Union’s mission to safeguard vessels in the Red Sea from missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
“What Germany has said is fully inconsistent with the facts,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
European Union Summons China
The European Union has since summoned China’s ambassador over an incident.
“The Chinese military’s use of a laser to target a German aircraft participating in EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea is both dangerous and unacceptable,” said Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy.
Germany said a reconnaissance plane was targeted as it flew over the Red Sea, where several European countries have been contributing to surveillance and defensive efforts since early 2024 to protect ships from regular attacks launched from Yemen.
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Germany Takes on Chinese Warship
The laser was reportedly directed from a Chinese warship that had been observed multiple times but did not communicate with the aircraft as it passed by.
As a safety measure, the plane aborted its mission and returned to its military base in Djibouti, according to the foreign ministry.
“Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,” said Germany’s Foreign Ministry on the social media platform X.
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China Builds Giant Laser
Earlier this year, satellite imagery revealed what appears to be a large laser-powered fusion research facility under construction in China’s southwestern city of Mianyang.
Its design closely resembled that of the $3.5 billion U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Northern California. This facility was part of a Chinese strategy to catch up in the nuclear field.
Laser fusion works by using highly powerful lasers to compress hydrogen isotopes, initiating a nuclear reaction.
Although often promoted as a potential source of clean, limitless energy, the technology has also attracted military interest. It enables the simulation of the extreme conditions found in nuclear detonations, allowing countries to conduct weapons-related research without violating international agreements.
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