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China says US has sent over 10 high-altitude balloons illegally into Chinese airspace since last year
- Beijing accuses Americans of flying their own devices over China without permission, but the Biden administration rejects the claim
- Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin says it was ‘completely an accident’ that China’s civilian unmanned airship strayed into US airspace
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China says high-altitude balloons from the United States have sailed across Chinese airspace without permission more than 10 times since last year, but the Biden administration directly rejects Beijing’s claim.
“It is also common for US balloons to illegally enter the airspace of other countries,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday.
“Since last year alone, US high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over China’s airspace more than 10 times without the approval of relevant Chinese authorities.
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“The first thing the US should do is to reflect on itself and change its own way, rather than slander, discredit or incite confrontation.”
02:34
Chinese balloon row: Joe Biden says US-China relations have not taken a big hit
Chinese balloon row: Joe Biden says US-China relations have not taken a big hit
This is the first time during the balloon saga that Beijing has accused Washington of deploying balloons over China.
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