China says U.S. balloons have flown over Chinese airspace ‘more than 10 times in past year’ | World News

China claims that US high-altitude balloons have flown over its airspace more than 10 times in the past year.

Beijing made the request after Washington accused China of running a fleet of reconnaissance balloons around the world.

develop after a day US warplane shoots down fourth flying object The Pentagon said the planes flew close to sensitive military sites and posed a threat to civilian aircraft.

It crashed over Lake Huron, Michigan, at 2:42 p.m. local time on Sunday President Joe Biden’s Order.

The line starts with Suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina, U.S., earlier this month.

The vessel was deployed in the water for recovery operations.

“U.S. Balloon Enters Airspace Illegally”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not provide details today about the so-called US balloon.

He did not explain how they were processed or whether they had links to the government or the military.

“Illegal entry of U.S. balloons into other countries’ airspace is also common,” he said at his daily briefing.

“Since last year, U.S. high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over China’s airspace more than 10 times without China’s approval.”

The Chinese spokesperson added that the U.S. should “first reflect on itself and change its course, instead of smearing and provoking confrontation.”

China says the balloon the United States shot down over South Carolina was an unmanned airship built for weather research and was blown off course.

It accused the United States of overreacting in shooting it down and threatened unspecified actions in response.

U.S. Navy sailors retrieve a balloon off the coast of South Carolina.Photo: Associated Press
image:
U.S. Navy sailors retrieve a balloon off the coast of South Carolina.Photo: Associated Press

‘High vigilance’ after latest ‘object’

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken cancels Beijing visit After the balloon was spotted earlier this month.

Many had hoped the visit would stem a sharp deterioration in U.S.-China relations over issues including Taiwan, trade, human rights and China’s threatening actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Citing images from a U.S. U-2 surveillance plane, the Biden administration announced on Thursday that the balloon was equipped to detect and gather intelligence signals as part of a large military-related aerial surveillance program targeting more than 40 countries.

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Latest downed object ‘much smaller’ than suspected spy balloon

U.S. Air Force General Glen VanHerck admitted he didn’t know what the last three objects were or how they stayed aloft before being shot down.

However, he told reporters that they were not the same balloons who started the altercation.

“We call them objects, not balloons, for a reason,” he said, also refusing to rule out any explanation when asked if they could be aliens.

Gen Van Heek said the repeated downing was partly due to “high vigilance” following the appearance of the so-called Chinese spy balloon.

In response to the incident, the United States has imposed economic restrictions on six Chinese entities allegedly linked to Beijing’s aerospace program.

The U.S. House of Representatives also voted unanimously to condemn China for “blatant violations” of U.S. sovereignty and for attempting to “deceive the international community by lying about its intelligence-gathering activities.”

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China defends use of lasers in new incident

Wang Wenbin reiterated China’s refutation of the U.S. statement, saying: “The U.S.’s frequent launch of advanced missiles to shoot down targets is an overreaction or excessive force.”

Meanwhile, Monday Philippines charges a Chinese Coast Guard ship Or targeting a Philippine vessel with a military-grade laser in the South China Sea and temporarily blinding some crew members, calling it a “blatant” violation of Manila’s sovereignty.

China said it responded “professionally and with restraint” to the Philippine Coast Guard ship’s unauthorized entry into Chinese waters on Feb. 6.

China claims nearly all of the strategic shipping lanes and has been steadily building up its sea power and island outposts.

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