China says U.S. flew more than 10 high-altitude balloons over Chinese airspace

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that the U.S. had flown more than 10 high-altitude balloons over its airspace without permission more than 10 times since January 2022. Asked how they had responded to the alleged flights, Wang said China’s response was “responsible and professional,” and called on the U.S. to “start with a clean slate, undergo some self-reflection, instead of smearing and accusing China.” It comes after a number of high-altitude objects were shot down above North America, including at least one suspected of being a Chinese spy balloon.

• China claims multiple U.S. balloons have flown in its airspace over past year