Recently, Germany and the European Union lodged a protest against the Chinese authorities. This came after a German reconnaissance plane was targeted with a laser by a nearby Chinese military ship in the Red Sea during a mission in early July. Analysis suggests that the action of the Chinese warship aligns with the stance of the Yemeni Houthi armed group, a designated terrorist organization, which is likely to provoke anti-Chinese sentiments in Europe and strain Sino-European relations.
In early July this year, a German non-military reconnaissance plane, while on a mission in the Red Sea, observed a Chinese military ship using a laser to target it. The reconnaissance plane had to abort its mission and return but thankfully, the crew members were unharmed.
The German Ministry of Defense criticized the Chinese military ship for repeatedly appearing in that maritime area and for using the laser without prior contact or a legitimate reason, which could pose a threat to personnel and equipment.
On July 8, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Germany, stating in a declaration that “placing German personnel in danger and disrupting their operation is entirely unacceptable.”
The European External Action Service also summoned the Chinese Ambassador to the EU on July 9 and issued a statement condemning the Chinese military’s action of targeting a German military aircraft with a laser in the Red Sea as dangerous and unacceptable.
The German reconnaissance plane was participating in the European Union’s Operation ASPDES, aiming to protect shipping security in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and surrounding waters, and to prevent attacks on EU and allied commercial vessels by the Houthi armed group.
The Houthi armed group, also known as the “Ansar Allah” movement in Yemen, is a military organization supported by Iran and designated as a terrorist group by the United States. Since late 2023, the Houthis have significantly intensified their attacks on European and American commercial ships.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the protests by Germany and the EU, stating that China was carrying out “escort” missions in the waters near the Gulf of Aden and Somalia.
Shen Mingshi, a researcher at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies, pointed out that since both China and the EU are “escorting” in the Red Sea region, they should have a “common enemy” – the Houthi armed group, yet it seems that the intentions of the Chinese warship may not align with that of the EU.
He suggested that the Chinese ship likely viewed the approaching German aircraft as hostile, leading to the use of laser countermeasures, indicating that the Chinese warship’s actions align with the Houthi armed group.
Moreover, Shen Mingshi mentioned that China provides satellite information on Red Sea merchant ships to the Houthis, who then use drones or anti-ship missiles to attack these vessels, further confirming China’s alignment with these Yemeni militants.
A Bloomberg report from January 2024 previously revealed connections between China and the Houthi armed group. At least five ships were found to signal “all Chinese crew” while crossing the Red Sea to avoid Houthi attacks.
Yao Yuan, a professor of international studies at the University of St. Thomas, noted that the Red Sea laser incident might be a “backlash” response from China to the US bombing of Iran. It appears to represent the interests of China’s Middle Eastern allies, positioning itself as a support figure and entering the situation.
On June 21, the US Air Force and Navy jointly used blitz tactics to destroy Iran’s three most important nuclear facilities, delaying Iran’s nuclear weapons program by at least a year.
Yao Yuan also criticized China’s behavior in the Red Sea laser incident as both foolish and insecure, stating that using a laser to lock onto others at sea raises questions about China’s intentions.
He emphasized that when the US locks onto a target with a laser, it likely signifies an impending attack, whereas China’s behavior seems more like showcasing its capabilities to Western powers, portraying a shift from insecurity to superiority.
Currently, the US is globally constraining China through trade wars. Yao Yuan suggested that economically and strategically, China would seek to rally the EU against the US. However, the Red Sea laser incident may have implications of a slight “declaration of war,” stirring greater anti-Chinese sentiments within the EU.
He further noted that China is likely aware that its “anti-US, pro-EU collaboration” may prove challenging.
Shen Mingshi added that China’s provocative actions in the Red Sea against Germany and the EU might prompt European countries to be cautious not only about the Houthi armed group but also about Chinese ships when passing through the region.
He pointed out the contradictions in China’s behavior, as it seeks to improve relations with the EU while engaging in hostile or provocative acts, highlighting the EU’s heightened defense posture against China and its alignment with the US on military and security issues.
Given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and China’s support for Russia, it is unlikely that Europe will mend relations with China. The Red Sea laser incident underscores China’s duplicity, making it challenging to ease Sino-European relations.
Yao Yuan remarked, “China’s foolishness did not start today.”