Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday after saying China’s military had laser targeted a German aircraft taking part in an EU operation in the Red Sea.

Germany has accused the Chinese military of targeting a German spy plane with a laser in the Gulf region. The German foreign ministry said the incident involved an aircraft taking part in Aspides, an EU mission to defend trade ships in the Red Sea from Houthi rocket attacks.

The European Union has summoned the Chinese ambassador following an incident in which China's military allegedly targeted a German aircraft with a laser during an EU security mission in the Red Sea. China has denied the accusation.