US Army shot down the unmanned object on Saturday, 4, after closing three airports; increased tension between countries
A China rated the decision of U.S of shooting down the alleged Chinese spy balloon as an ‘evident overreaction’. According to the Foreign Ministry note, the Americans insisted on the use of force against an “unmanned civil aircraft”, which the Asian giant described as a “clearly disproportionate” reaction. The Chinese had asked Washington to “properly handle the situation in a calm, professional and moderate manner”. China’s government declared its “strong dissatisfaction” with the operation. “China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protests against the use of force by the United States,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Washington “seriously violated international practices,” according to the same source. A few days ago, a Chinese balloon flew over US airspace – a situation that increased tension between the countries. According to Beijing, it was a scientific research and that the unmanned object had changed its route due to the wind, an explanation not accepted by Washington, which said it was espionage. On Saturday the 4th, the US Army shot down the balloon in the Atlantic Ocean. Action hailed by President Joe Biden who congratulated the F-22 pilots. “Today’s deliberate and lawful action shows that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety of the American people first and will effectively respond to the People’s Republic of China’s unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” he said. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The balloon “was used by China in an attempt to surveil strategic sites” of the United States, he said. In images shown by American TV channels, the balloon appeared to fall vertically after an impact. When it was brought down, it was at an altitude of 18 km, 11 km from the coast, according to Pentagon officials. The raid came after three airports in the US Southeast were temporarily closed amid what the Federal Aviation Administration called a “national security effort.” Air traffic resumed after the balloon crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.
A US military fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.#China #America #Balloon pic.twitter.com/DF4ogb5OZS
—World Times (@WorldTimesWT) February 5, 2023
*With information from AFP
Source: Jovempan
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