A Chinese warship has targeted a German aircraft as it worked to protect marine traffic over the Red Sea, Berlin has revealed.

Beijing's military 'endangered personnel' participating in an European Union-led mission, the German foreign ministry said in a statement.

It accused China of 'disrupting' the operation, adding that Beijing's ambassador to Berlin had been summoned following the incident. 

The EU launched Operation Aspides early last year to provide a naval presence in the Red Sea and Gulf amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on international commercial vessels.

The incident saw a Chinese military vessel target the aircraft with no reason or prior communication during a routine mission flight, a ministry spokesperson said.

It occurred at the beginning of this month and the ship had been encountered several times in the area before, they added.

Germany's defence ministry said the aircraft, taking part in the EU's Aspides mission which protects international sea routes in the Red Sea, had been contributing a Multi-Sensor Platform, or 'flying eye' for reconnaissance of the area since October. 

'By using the laser, the warship put at risk the safety of personnel and material,' said the spokesperson, adding the mission flight was aborted as a precaution and the aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti.

The deployment of the MSP in Aspides has since been resumed, he said.

The EU launched Operation Aspides early last year to provide a naval presence in the Red Sea and Gulf amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels (file image)

The MSP is operated by a civilian commercial service provider and German armed forces personnel are involved, said the ministry, adding the data collected significantly contributes to awareness for partners.

The flare up in tensions comes as concerns mount in the EU about Chinese influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. 

China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at US planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are more unusual.

In 2020, the US Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a US naval patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said that did not accord with the facts.

Operation Aspides began after Yemen's Houthis started attacking ships in October 2023.

The militant group said their aim was to pressure Israel to stop its assault on Gaza, but they have since expanded their attacks to target ships from around the world.

They have stepped up their attacks against international shipping in recent days, claiming on Sunday that they had sunk a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier called Magic Seas.

The attack with drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, reportedly forced the vessel's crew of 22 to abandon ship, before the rebels said it sank.

A maritime monitor has today reported that another cargo ship has been under continuous attack since Monday, losing power and suffering major damage.

'The vessel has sustained significant damage and has lost all propulsion. The vessel is surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack,' the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in a statement.