China denies German accusations that a military plane was targeted with a Chinese laser during an operation over the Red Sea.

China said Germany's accusations that a German military plane was targeted with a Chinese laser were "completely inconsistent with the facts". The incident occurred on July 2 during a surveillance mission for the EU's Operation ASPIDES, which protects maritime traffic. The Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman stressed the need for effective communication to avoid misunderstandings. China has been accused of using lasers in previous incidents, raising questions about its behavior in international seas.