In July 2025, an incident involving a Chinese laser and a German reconnaissance aircraft over the Red Sea sparked a diplomatic scandal. During a patrol under the European Union's Operation ASPIDES, the German aircraft was targeted by a laser beam, allegedly from a Chinese warship. The incident forced the pilots to abort the mission and land in Djibouti. The EU condemned China's actions as dangerous and a threat to international security. Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador demanding an explanation. China denied the accusations, stating it acted within standard procedures. This incident has significant implications: it raises concerns about the safety of international missions, signals worsening NATO-China relations, and sets a precedent for diplomatic pressure. The EU and Germany call for transparency and dialogue, but the risk of further incidents remains. Sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/eu-summons-chinese-ambassador-over-laser-incident-involving-german-aircraft-2025-07-09 https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-china-shined-laser-plane-over-red-sea-dangerous-move-2025-7 https://apnews.com/article/c0f7e743dd1446b262b3afbcefd7966d