ExplainerWhat we know and don’t know about the China balloon
- The US says it was a Chinese spy balloon and its presence prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a weekend trip to China
- Beijing insists the balloon was just an errant civilian airship used mainly for meteorological research
What in the world was that thing?
The massive white orb that drifted across US airspace this week and was shot down by the Air Force over the Atlantic on live television on Saturday triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blew up on social media.
China insists the balloon was just an errant civilian airship used mainly for meteorological research that went off course due to winds and had only limited “self-steering” capabilities. It also issued a threat of “further actions.”
In a statement after the craft was shot down, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the use of force by the US was “an obvious overreaction and a serious violation of international practice”. It added: “China will resolutely uphold the relevant company’s legitimate rights and interests, and at the same time reserving the right to take further actions in response.”
01:51
China’s top diplomat urges US to ‘avoid misjudgment’ as Blinken trip postponed over balloon issue
The United States says it was a Chinese spy balloon without a doubt. Its presence prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a weekend trip to China that was aimed at dialling down tensions that were already high between the countries.