10:57 PM
Saturday 04 February 2023
Agencies:
The US authorities announced that the Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of the Carolinas, and the wreckage recovery process began.
And accounts on the social networking site “Twitter” published a video clip, quoting the American “Fox News” channel, of the moment the Chinese balloon was shot down off the coast of Carolina.
BREAKING: US Fighter jets have DESTROYED the Chinese Spy Balloon over Myrtle Beach, SC. pic.twitter.com/KuvlrDWgof
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) February 4, 2023
Local residents also posted a video of the balloon’s downing, showing a huge flash in the sky the moment it was targeted.
Video from Montana where a military jet just buzzed a neighborhood — then a massive flash in the sky.
A blast can be heard, screen goes white and smoke can be seen.
Chinese Spy Balloon Down? pic.twitter.com/AY4GcG8Ydp
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 4, 2023
China has vehemently rejected allegations of espionage related to a balloon that drifted into US airspace, as the case puts increasing pressure on already troubled relations between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the “surveillance balloon” intrusion into US airspace as “unacceptable” and “irresponsible”.
China on Saturday denied the spying allegations, saying the balloon was a research balloon that had been derailed by “force majeure”.
“We do not accept baseless speculation and excitement,” China’s foreign ministry said Saturday, citing a phone conversation Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had with Blinken the day before.
Blinken canceled his visit to Beijing, which was scheduled for Sunday. This would have been the first visit by a US Secretary of State to China since 2018.
