OUR Chinese government today it is believed that USAshooting down a Chinese balloon flying over their territory “seriously affected and damaged” bilateral relations.

“US actions have seriously impacted and undermined the efforts and progress of both sides to stabilize Sino-US relations since the meeting in Bali” between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said in a statement.

OUR US military shot down on Saturdayoff the coast of South Carolina, this Chinese balloon, which, according to the Pentagon, was a spy and intended to collect confidential information.

The incident sparked a diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Washington over the cancellation of a last-minute visit to China by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Beijing claims the balloon was intended for political use and accused the US of “overreacting” by shooting it down.

The Chinese government is “closely following the development of the situation” and “reserves the right to take necessary measures,” the Chinese minister said.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}