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Germany Summons Chinese Envoy After Laser Targeting of Surveillance Aircraft in Red Sea

Lodging the protest highlights rising Sino-European tensions following the aircraft’s safe return to Djibouti.

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The flags of Germany, China and the European Union are seen ahead of a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin, Germany, June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo
The flags of Germany and China are seen ahead of a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin, Germany, June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File photo
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Overview

  • A Chinese warship deployed a laser beam at a German multi-sensor surveillance plane conducting Operation Aspides patrols over the southern Red Sea on July 2 without warning.
  • German officials summoned Ambassador Deng Hongbo to Berlin to lodge a formal protest, condemning the act as unacceptable endangerment of personnel and disruption of the EU mission.
  • The aircraft aborted its flight as a precaution, landed safely in Djibouti with no injuries, and has since rejoined the EU’s Aspides surveillance operations.
  • Operation Aspides, launched in February 2024 under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, provides defensive escort and reconnaissance against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
  • Beijing has so far remained silent in public, leaving Germany’s diplomatic protest unanswered.