China said on Wednesday that US high-altitude balloons had flown over Xinjiang and Tibet and it would take action against US entities that undermine Chinese sovereignty as a diplomatic row escalates.
Washington and Beijing are locked in a dispute over flying objects after the US military this month shot down what it called a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina. Beijing says its civilian research balloon was mistakenly diverted off course and that Washington has overreacted.
This week, China responded that US balloons had flown over its airspace without permission more than 10 times on round-the-world flights since May 2022.
“Without the approval of relevant Chinese authorities, they illegally flew at least 10 times over China’s territorial airspace, including over Xinjiang, Tibet and other provinces,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in an interview. to the press this Wednesday.
A White House disputed China’s claims.
Washington has added six Chinese entities linked to Beijing’s alleged surveillance balloon program to an export restricted list.
“The US abused force, overreacted, escalated the situation, and used this as a pretext to illegally sanction Chinese companies and institutions,” Wang said.
“China strongly opposes this and will take action against relevant US entities that undermine China’s sovereignty and security in accordance with the law,” Wang said, without specifying the measures.
Source: CNN Brasil
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