The US and China have clashed over flying objects suspected to have been used as intelligence tools to spy on rival nations.
Earlier today (Monday 13 February), China's Foreign Ministry accused the US of “illegally” flying 10 high-altitude balloons into its airspace over the last year.
At a news conference today, Chinese ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claimed it is “common for US balloons to illegally enter other countries’ airspace.”
The US has rejected this accusation and described the claim as an attempt at damage control, after US President Joe Biden gave the order to shoot down a Chinese balloon flying over US airspace on 4 February.
The White House declared that the balloon was equipped to detect and collect intelligence signals as part of a huge, military-linked aerial surveillance programme that targeted more than 40 countries, citing imagery from American U-2 spy planes.
In response to the incident, the US has placed economic restrictions...
