Latest news with #ChinaGermanyRelations
Reuters
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
EU summons Chinese ambassador over laser incident involving German aircraft
BRUSSELS, July 9 (Reuters) - 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. According to Germany, a Chinese warship used a laser to target a German patrol aircraft taking part in Operation ASPIDES, the EU-led mission tasked with protecting commercial vessels from Houthi rebel attacks. The incident reportedly occurred in early July during a routine flight, with no prior warning or communication from the Chinese vessel. "The Chinese military's use of a laser to target a German aircraft patrolling with EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea is dangerous and unacceptable," said Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy. "This act put personnel at risk and compromised the aircraft's mission." While German officials have reported multiple encounters with the same Chinese warship in the region, Beijing has rejected the claim, saying there is no evidence of hostile action. China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at U.S. planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are more unusual.
Khaleej Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
New German chancellor set for first China visit later this year
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to make his first visit to China towards the end of this year with a delegation of top business executives, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. The visit from the head of Europe's biggest economy and one of China's largest trading partners would be symbolically important in underpinning relations between the two, amid friction with the United States over trade tariffs. Chinese companies hope to invest more in Germany and Merz's visit could be used to repair relations after earlier tensions with Berlin, a source told Reuters. The trip, which could come as soon as October, is yet to be finalised and details could change. A spokesperson for the German chancellery declined to comment. "Currently, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany is developing well. Since the formation of the new German government, the two sides have maintained frequent and close interactions," China's foreign ministry said in response to Reuters questions. "China is willing to engage in close high-level exchanges with Germany, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of China-Germany relations." Merz's planned trip follows a visit to Berlin earlier this month by China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, on a European tour seeking to lay the groundwork for a summit between European Union and Chinese leaders later this month. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the two foreign ministers had discussed Russia's attack on Ukraine, Taiwan and the crisis in the Middle East. China and Germany are closely interwoven, not least by German carmakers' dependence on China, the world's biggest auto market, in making and buying their cars. Relations faltered under the previous German government, where then Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock repeatedly criticised Beijing, describing President Xi Jinping as a "dictator", and China as a rival. Points of friction remain. Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to the foreign ministry on Tuesday after saying China's military had laser targeted a German aircraft in the Red Sea. So far, Merz has also taken a tough public line on China, while avoiding a full-blown standoff. Earlier this year, he underscored worries about China's closeness to Russia while pledging to reduce Germany's reliance on the world's second largest economy. Xi, meantime, called on Merz to deepen cooperation and jointly promote economic globalisation.
