BEIJING (Reuters) – China said Wednesday it would take action against US installations in connection with the downing of a Chinese spy balloon off the US East Coast.
Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not give details or goals of the measures at daily press conferences.
China has said the balloon was an unmanned weather airship that accidentally veered off course and accused the United States of overreacting when it was shot down by a rocket launched from an F-22 fighter jet.
Since the balloon crash on February 4, the United States has imposed sanctions on six Chinese entities that it claims are linked to Beijing’s aerospace program. China denies that the balloon was a military asset, but has yet to reveal which government department or company was responsible for the balloon.
After initially expressing regret over the balloon’s intrusion into US airspace, China has responded with threats of retaliation and allegations of espionage against Washington.
“China resolutely opposes this and will take countermeasures according to law against relevant US institutions that undermine China’s sovereignty and security,” Wang said at a press conference.
China will “resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests,” he said.
Also on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said the Chinese balloon invasion was part of a pattern of aggressive behavior by Beijing. Emanuel claims that China recently shot a Philippine Coast Guard patrol boat with military-grade lasers, that Chinese jets harassed U.S. planes, and that China has set up illegal police stations in the United States, Ireland, and other countries. He mentioned that it was opened.
“For me, ballooning is not an isolated case,” said Emmanuel.
If China wants to be a respected member of the international community, “you have to act according to one basic premise: as if the law has no borders, you can police other countries without knowing the law.” It means you can’t open a station,” he said.
Referring to China’s interventions in Asia-Pacific countries, the ambassador said, “These are not exactly the nature and characteristics of a good neighbor policy.” Japan’s defense ministry said on Tuesday that at least three flying objects sighted in Japanese airspace since 2019 were likely Chinese reconnaissance balloons. He said he had protested and asked Beijing for an explanation.
A senior lawmaker from Japan’s ruling party said Wednesday that it was considering expanding the Self-Defense Forces law to include violations of Japan’s airspace by foreign balloons.
