China Military Uses Laser on NATO Nation's Aircraft: What to Know
NewsweekJUN 22
Germany Summons Chinese Ambassador After Military Aircraft Lasered Over Red Sea
Above: China's Ambassador to Germany Deng Hongbo on Dec. 12, 2024. Image copyright: Soeren Stache/picture alliance/Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
This laser incident represents another example of China's aggressive military behavior that threatens international security operations and further illustrates that Beijing does support the Houthis as part of its strategy to distract the West from the Indo-Pacific and undermine the global leadership of the free world. It's about time for Western countries to come together and partner with other non-Iran-aligned actors to deter incidents like this one.
Pro-China narrative
One should avoid being quick to jump to conclusions based merely on German accusations against China and wait until Beijing tells its side of the story. After all, China may lose less than the West from the Houthi attacks in a zero-sum trade war but that would only explain Chinese inaction — not its alleged laser targeting of a German aircraft. Beijing and the Houthis are not friends.