China Says U.S. ‘Illegally’ Flew Balloons Into Its Airspace At Least 10 Times As Tensions Mount Over Military Takedowns

Topline

China on Monday accused the U.S. of illegally flying high altitude balloons into the country’s airspace more than 10 times since the start of last year, according to news reports, deepening tensions as diplomatic relations sour after Washington downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon found hovering over the U.S. earlier this month.

Key Facts

There have been more than 10 “illegal” flights of U.S. high-altitude balloons over Chinese airspace since the start of 2022, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on Monday, according to Reuters.

Wang said none of the flights had attained the necessary approval from Chinese authorities, adding that it is “nothing rare for U.S. balloons to illegally enter other country’s airspace.”

Wang did not provide evidence to support the claim or give details on the nature of the alleged U.S. balloons, for example whether they are designed for espionage or for military purposes.

Wang said Beijing had been “responsible and professional” in responding to the balloons and said China reserves the right to deal with any incidents with “necessary means.”

“The U.S. needs to reflect upon itself and change its wrong practice,” he added.

The U.S. Department of Defense didn’t immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.

What To Watch For

China’s allegations come as officials reportedly prepare to down an unidentified object spotted flying over waters near the port city of Rizhao, eastern China, this weekend. Bloomberg reported that Wang “sidestepped” a question about the object during the briefing.

News Peg

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have flared since the U.S. detected, and later downed, a high-altitude balloon hovering in U.S. airspace it claimed was a Chinese spy balloon. The U.S. military has since shot down three unidentified objects over North America, which officials have said bear potential similarities to the downed Chinese balloon. Beijing has bristled at the accusation and claims the balloon was a civilian research device that had blown off course. Washington officials have openly rejected Beijing’s explanations and Wang’s comments are the first time Beijing has accused the U.S. of flying the balloons over China since the incident with the first balloon on February 4. Washington sanctioned six Chinese aerospace companies it said are involved with the country’s military balloon program on Friday. On Monday, Wang said the U.S. was “hyping up and exaggerating” the situation as a “pretext to illegally sanction” Chinese firms.

Tangent

The balloons spotted over Canada and the U.S. have sparked concern over whether China has intruded in airspace over other parts of the world. Shortly after the first balloon was detected in the U.S., the Pentagon reported another over Latin America. Taiwan, which has been governed independently for decades but is claimed by Beijing as part of the People’s Republic of China, says it frequently observes military balloons in its airspace and has seen dozens in recent years. Ben Wallace, the U.K.’s defense minister, said the country is reviewing its airspace security following the U.S. incursion. On Monday, a junior British transport minister told Sky News it is “possible” Chinese spy balloons have already flown over the country and described China as a “hostile state.”

Further Reading

Schumer: Two Latest Objects Flying Over North America Were Also Balloons, Intelligence Officials Believe (Forbes)

U.S. Military Shoots Down Another Flying Object—This Time Over Lake Huron (Forbes)

Balloon Incident Reveals More Than Spying as Competition With China Intensifies (NYT)

How a Balloon Opened a New Flashpoint in U.S.-China Ties (WSJ)