China reacts to the US shooting down a `spy balloon`

(Dan Tri) – China strongly opposes the US shooting down its hot air balloon, saying Washington overreacted and seriously violated international practices.

The plane appeared near the balloon suspected of being a Chinese spy device in the US (Photo: AP).

`China expressed its dissatisfaction and strong opposition to the US’s use of force to attack civilian drones. The Chinese side has repeatedly notified the US side after verifying that the balloon was

`China has clearly asked the US to handle the incident calmly, professionally and with restraint. The US Department of Defense spokesman also stated that the balloon would not pose a military or personal threat.

According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beijing will `resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies, and reserves the right to make further necessary responses`.

The US shot down China’s `spy balloon`.

The announcement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry came after US President Joe Biden announced that a hot air balloon suspected of being a Chinese spy device had been shot down.

According to a senior US military official, multiple fighter jets and tankers were involved in the mission to shoot down the balloon, and F-22 fighter jets from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia

According to well-informed sources, the balloon’s debris will be taken to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) laboratory in Quantico, Virginia for analysis by FBI experts and intelligence agencies.

US officials confirmed that the hot air balloon was shot down about 6 nautical miles from the US coast, in relatively shallow water, so it is possible to recover key parts of this reconnaissance device in the coming days.

Previously, the Pentagon said an object suspected to be a Chinese reconnaissance balloon entered airspace in the northern United States and was believed to be moving over sensitive locations in the United States.

An object suspected to be a Chinese spy balloon appeared in the US

US officials assess this as a serious incident.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that it was only a civil balloon used for research purposes, mainly meteorological research.