Beijing，February 6, 2023（AseanAll）— China says its Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng lodged a strong protest with the U.S. embassy in Beijing on February 5 against the downing of a Chinese balloon（airship）.
A US military jet shot down the balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 local time.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China，Xie stressed that nothing could be done about the unmanned civilian airship straying into U.S. airspace, calling it an unexpected and accidental incident. He said what happened is very clear, and China will not forgive the distortion and the slanderous remarks.
Xie denounced the U.S. action, saying it has seriously damaged efforts and the process for stabilizing ties between the two countries following the November bilateral summit in Indonesia.
He urged the United States not to take further actions that could harm China's interests and escalate tensions.
Xie also said that the Chinese government is paying close attention to the development of the situation, will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, resolutely safeguard China's interests and dignity, and reserve the right to make further necessary responses
