The US shot down a Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina The US military shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the east coast, the media write.
The US Defense Ministry insists that the Chinese government used the balloon to "monitor strategic objects" of the United States. The PRC considered the destruction of the balloon an "excessive reaction" and protested in connection with a "serious violation of international practice."
"Flew through the center of the country"
The US military shot down a Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the United States, CNN reported, citing an American official. According to him, the destruction of the balloon was personally approved by President Joe Biden. At the same time, the US military is ready to restore the aircraft if necessary.
"The balloon was first spotted in the skies over Montana earlier this week and flew through the center of the country following weather conditions before leaving the continental United States on Saturday," the article says.
The authors of the material noted that due to the appearance of the balloon in the US airspace, the Federal Aviation Administration stopped the operation of airports in North and South Carolina "to support the Department of Defense in efforts to ensure national security."
The article also says that senior military officials advised "not to shoot down a balloon over the continental United States" because of the risk of falling debris in a densely populated area. The day before, Biden told reporters that his administration would "take care" of the balloon. The authors of the material added that the head of state "discussed options with the military leadership" since Tuesday - then he was "first informed about the balloon."
"On Friday, the Pentagon said that the balloon did not pose a military or political threat. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the balloon entered U.S. airspace by accident. But the State Department insists that the presence of the aircraft over US territory was "a clear violation of sovereignty, as well as international law, and this is unacceptable," the article says.
In addition, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken postponed his "long-awaited diplomatic visit to China." He explained that the incident "created conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip."
Chinese protest
The Biden administration is confident that the Chinese balloon "sought to control sensitive military facilities," a source told CNN.
The Pentagon confirmed that the US military shot down a Chinese high-altitude balloon as it drifted off the east coast near the Caroline Islands.
"China expressed its "strong dissatisfaction and protest" against this decision, accusing the United States of "overreaction" and "serious violation of international practice, China once again stated that the balloon was "for civilian use and came to the United States due to force majeure - it was an accident," - it is noted in the material.
According to CNN, Biden ordered the military to shoot down the spy balloon "as soon as possible." And United States officials believe that "the balloon was used for surveillance." But in China, they claim that "it was a civilian research vessel."
"It was a surveillance balloon of the PRC. This surveillance balloon deliberately flew over the United States and Canada, and we are sure that it sought to control sensitive military facilities. Its route over the United States near many potentially sensitive objects contradicts the explanation of the Chinese government that it is a meteorological balloon," an official who wished to remain anonymous told the TV channel.
He clarified to reporters that the current balloon was already the second Chinese balloon, which was also observed by the United States.
According to the TV channel, "the alleged Chinese spy balloon drifted in the stratosphere at an altitude of 60,000 feet (about 18.5 km)."
Politico journalists are sure that the destruction of the balloon "destroyed bilateral ties" between the United States and China.
"President Joe Biden's decision to shoot down a Chinese surveillance balloon on Saturday is a blow to US-China relations, which have been deteriorating for years," the article says.
Maria Shustrova
