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‘Overreaction’: China hits out at US for downing suspected Chinese spy balloon

  • Beijing says it reserves the right to a further response to Washington’s decision to shoot down the airship
  • An operation is under way in US territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean to recover debris

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Beijing says Washington’s decision to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon was an overreaction. Photo: AP
Robert Delaneyin WashingtonandJun Maiin Beijing
Beijing slammed Washington’s decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon, saying it was an overreaction and China reserved the right to take “further responses that are necessary”.
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“China strongly disapproves of and protests against the US attack on a civilian unmanned airship by force,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

It added that Beijing had notified the US side “repeatedly” that the airship was only for civilian purposes and had entered the US accidentally.

The ministry also noted comments from a US Defence Department spokesman that the balloon was no military threat to people on the ground.

“The US’ use of force is a clear overreaction and a serious violation of international practice,” it said, adding that China would “resolutely” defend the rights of the related Chinese companies.

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China’s military echoed the sentiment on Sunday, with defence ministry spokesman Tan Kefei saying the country reserved the right to “necessary means when faced with similar situations”.

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