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

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reacted angrily to the use of a laser by a Chinese warship against a German reconnaissance aircraft. "I am more than irritated by this incident," Wadephul told the RND media group for a story published on Wednesday.

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.