US local media reported Saturday that in a "national security effort", three US airports were shut down and a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the country's east coast.
The Chinese balloon, roughly the size of three buses, had been tracked in US airspace, the Pentagon said on Friday. The Chinese aircraft is believed to have surveillance capabilities.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has cancelled his upcoming historic trip to Beijing as a sign of protest against the intrusion of US airspace by China.
China said on Friday an "airship" that is flying over the United States is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and expressed regret that it strayed into US airspace.
On Saturday, US President Joe Biden released a short statement saying that "we will take care of it." Both the White House and the Pentagon said that the Chinese balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.
Here are the highlights on the Chinese balloon in US airspace:
China Spy Balloon: "Clearly Overreacting": China On US Shooting Down Suspected Spy BalloonBeijing on Sunday blasted the Pentagon's decision to shoot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon spotted flying over North America, accusing the United States of "clearly overreacting and seriously violating international practice".
US Shot Down Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon With Single MissileU.S. military fighter aircraft shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it floated off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, drawing to a close a dramatic saga that shone a spotlight on worsening Sino-U.S. relations.
President Joe Biden on Saturday congratulated fighter pilots for taking down a Chinese spy balloon off the east coast after it spent several days flying over the United States.
"They successfully took it down. And I want to compliment our aviators who did it," Biden told reporters in Maryland.
US Shoots Down Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Off Carolina CoastThe US today shot down a Chinese balloon off the country's east coast, American media reported, hours after President Joe Biden vowed to "take care" of the suspected spy device.
US Going To Take Care Of Chinese Balloon, Says Joe BidenPresident Joe Biden said on Saturday that the United States is "going to take care of" a suspected Chinese spy balloon that has been tracked flying across the United States.
After US, 2nd Chinese Balloon Spotted In Latin America: PentagonA Chinese spy balloon was flying over Latin America, the Pentagon said Friday night, one day after a similar craft was seen over US skies.
Antony Blinken Slams China After Spy Balloon Found Over USUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday told a top Chinese official that it was "irresponsible" of Beijing to send a surveillance balloon over US soil as he explained why he postponed a visit.
"It's Airship": China "Expresses Regret" On 'Balloon' Entering US AirspaceChina said on Friday an "airship" that is flying over the United States is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and voiced regret that it strayed into US airspace.
Chinese Balloon, As Big As 3 Buses, Likely To Be Over US For A Few DaysThe Chinese balloon, of the size of three buses, laced with a significant number of payloads will probably be over the United States for a few days, the Pentagon said on Friday asserting that it has surveillance capabilities.
