Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: Republican lawmakers on Sunday blasted US President Joe Biden for waiting days to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon.
The lawmakers accused the US President of showing weakness toward Beijing. They claimed that Joe Biden did not disclose the matter of Chinese balloon in initial days.
US President and Republican lawmaker
Republican lawmaker Mike Turner said the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee also was set to receive a briefing on the balloon this week.
However, Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said of the Republican lawmakers criticisms: “they are political and premature.”
A US fighter jet on Saturday shot down the suspected Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina that has further strained US-China relations. Reports said that it became the latest flashpoint in tensions between the US and China.
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China also criticized the Pentagon’s decision to shoot down the Chinese balloon spotted flying over America, accusing Washington of “clearly overreacting” and violating international norms and practice.
According to AFP, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Beijing expressed strong dissatisfaction against the use of force by Washington to hit the pilotless civilian airship. Chinese foreign ministry said that Beijing would “reserve the right to make necessary responses”.
