Monitoring Desk
BEIJING: China on Sunday criticized the Pentagon’s decision to shoot down an alleged Chinese balloon spotted flying over America, accusing the US of “clearly overreacting” and violating international practice.
Chinese balloon: US-China ties
According to AFP, Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement that Beijing expresses strong dissatisfaction and also protests against the use of force by the US to attack the unmanned civilian airship.
Chinese foreign ministry further added that it would “reserve the right to make necessary responses”.
Earlier, the US downed a suspected Chinese balloon off the Carolina coast after it became the latest flashpoint in tensions between the two countries, US media reported.
Read Also: No Intention of Violating Airspace of Sovereign Country: Beijing
According to AP, an operation was carried out in US territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean in order to recover wreckages from the balloon that had been flying at about 60,000 feet.
Television showed an explosion, followed by the suspected balloon down toward the sea. US jets were also seen flying in the area and ships were deployed to support the recovery operation.
