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 said its aircraft was in the middle of a routine flight in support of the European Union's counter-Houthi mission.

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.