Days after the US shot down a Chinese 'spy' balloon flying in its airspace, China said on Monday that US high-altitude balloons had flown over its airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of January 2022, as reported by Reuters.China's assertion comes after the United States earlier this month shot down what it says was a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
Beijing, however, claimed that the balloon was a civilian research craft and accused Washington of overreacting.
Responding to a question at a regular media briefing in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, "US high-altitude balloons have flown over its airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of January 2022."
Asked how China had responded to the flights, Wang said China's response to such incidents is responsible and professional.
US SHOOTS DOWN CHINESE BALLOON
Last week, the Pentagon spotted a high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon hovering over Montana in the US, home to one of three nuclear missile launch facilities at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
The balloon, which Beijing claimed was a weather observation airship and had strayed off its course, was considered a "clear violation" of US sovereignty.
The balloon was approximately 200 feet tall and had an electronic payload. It was eventually shot down by a US fighter jet off the coast of South Carolina on February 4. The military then retrieved as many parts from the balloon's debris as possible for collecting data.Read More On..
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