Overview

• On July 8, Germany’s Foreign Office summoned China’s ambassador to protest after a Chinese warship allegedly aimed a laser at a German aircraft during the EU’s Aspides mission.
• The Defense Ministry reported the multi-sensor reconnaissance plane aborted its sortie, landed safely in Djibouti and has since resumed maritime surveillance operations.
• Officials have not determined whether the beam was a weaponized laser or a laser guidance system in the encounter with the Chinese vessel.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described the claim as “completely inconsistent with the facts” and urged prompt communication to prevent misunderstandings.
• The European Commission has remained silent on the dispute, highlighting broader EU unease over China’s growing naval presence.