Wadephul condemns Chinese laser attack on German Aircraft in Red Sea

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has called on China to provide a full explanation following a troubling incident involving a Chinese warship targeting a German aircraft with a laser over the Red Sea. The incident occurred during the EU’s Eunavfor Aspides mission, which is focused on countering the Houthi militia in the strategically important waters.

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“I am more than irritated by this incident,” Wadephul told the German editorial network on Tuesday. He described the laser disruption of the German aircraft, along with any other unprovoked threats to German units, as “unacceptable.”

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The Foreign Minister made these concerns “clear and unambiguous” during a diplomatic meeting with the Chinese ambassador, who was summoned to the German Foreign Office for an official explanation. Wadephul stated firmly, “China will have to explain itself on this.”

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Wadephul also warned that the episode could place a strain on German-Chinese relations. While emphasizing that Germany is open to cooperation with China “as equals” and committed to ongoing engagement, he stressed that Berlin will “clearly reject any irregular behavior by China and anything that is directed against our rules-based order.”

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According to the German Foreign Office, the laser targeting took place during the EU’s mission against the Houthi militia in the Red Sea. The Chinese ambassador was summoned on Tuesday as a direct response to the incident.

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The Chinese Defense Ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. Military-grade lasers pose serious risks as they can damage sensitive equipment, disrupt flight operations, and endanger the safety of aircrews.

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This is not the first such incident. The United States and its allies have accused China of carrying out hazardous interception tactics, including unsafe maneuvers close to aircraft and the release of flares or chaff into the flight paths of planes and helicopters. Similar encounters involving Chinese warships have been reported in contested areas such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. These behaviors have been widely described as “unsafe and unprofessional.”

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