China’s foreign ministry responded on Saturday to U.S. military firing down its spy satellite over the Atlantic Ocean. It claimed that it was not a civilian object, and was very upset at the U.S. action.
The spy balloon was destroyed by an F-22 Raptor equipped with one A9X sidewinder missile. It was launched at approximately 58,000 feet. After President Joe Biden had allowed the balloon’s flight over the United States for several days, the decision was made to bring down the spy ballon.
“China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the US’s use of force to attack civilian unmanned aircraft,”The statement was made. “The Chinese side has repeatedly informed the US side after verification that the airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure – it was completely an accident.”
“China clearly asked the US to handle it properly in a calm, professional and restrained manner. A spokesman for the US Department of Defense also stated that the balloon will not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel,”Continued the statement “China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies, while reserving the right to make further necessary reaction.”
Biden claimed that he had won a victory lap in the aftermath of the downing of the spy balloon. “ordered the Pentagon to shoot it down on Wednesday as soon as possible,”However, it was decided not to shoot the debris over land as the falling debris could cause serious damage.
U.S. officials were reportedly “well aware” that the balloon had crossed into American airspace on January 28 and that it was over Idaho on Tuesday, but decided not to inform the public to not upend Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic trip to China.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the spy balloon was sent to the U.S. “in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States.”
Biden faced intense scrutiny from top lawmakers who said that the spy balloon should have been shot down last month when it crossed over Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
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