China reported today that it found a U.S. balloon flying at high altitude over its Xinjiang and Tibet regions. The Chinese government has said it will take action against US entities that undermine China's sovereignty as the diplomatic row worsens.
Washington and Beijing are locked in a flying object dispute after the US military this month shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina. Beijing says the balloon was a civilian research vessel that was flown by mistake, and Washington is overreacting.
This week, China hit back by stating that the U.S. balloon has flown in its airspace without permission more than 10 times on round-the-world flights since May 2022.
"Without the approval of relevant Chinese authorities, it has illegally flown at least 10 times over China's territorial airspace, including over Xinjiang, Tibet and other regions," Wang said at a regular daily briefing on Wednesday.
Washington has added six Chinese entities linked to Beijing's suspected surveillance balloon program to an export blacklist.
“U.S. have abused force, overreacted, escalated the situation, and used this as an excuse to block Chinese companies and institutions illegally," Wang said.
"China firmly opposes this and will take retaliatory measures against U.S. entities. related actions that affect China's sovereignty and security in accordance with the law," Wang said, without specifying the steps.
The balloon dispute has delayed efforts by both sides to repair ties, although US President Joe Biden has also said that he does not believe relations between the two countries have been weakened by the incident.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who postponed a planned trip to Beijing over the issue, is considering meeting China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Munich this week, sources said.
