China reacts after USA shoots down 'spy balloon', says global practice violated

China issued an angry statement after the United States shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon which hovered in American airspace for many days.

Beijing on 5 February 2023 expressed "strong dissatisfaction" at USA's moves, and threatened "necessary responses", according to reports.

China had earlier said that the balloon was not for spying, but a civilian airship meant for research. The Xi Jinping government said that destroying a civilian airship was a "clear overreaction" and violative of international practice.

The balloon incident prompted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a weekend trip to China that was aimed at dialling down tensions that were already high between the countries.

The Pentagon said that the balloon, which was carrying sensors and surveillance equipment, was manoeuverable and showed it could change course. It allegedly loitered over sensitive areas of Montana where nuclear warheads are siloed, leading the military to take actions to prevent it from collecting intelligence.

A US Air Force fighter jet shot down the balloon on the afternoon of 4 February off the Carolina coast. Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the balloon slowly drifting toward the water. An operation was launched to recover its remnants.

(With agency inputs)

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