US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China has been cancelled after authorities labelled the high-altitude balloon incident as 'unacceptable', saying it violated US airspace and international law.
China expressed regret that a "civilian" airship had strayed into US territory after being blown off course.US military leaders considered shooting down the balloon over Montana on Wednesday.
"The secretary conveyed to the director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi earlier this morning, that the trip would need to be postponed. But the secretary indicated that he would plan to travel to the PRC at the earliest opportunity when conditions allow.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton had called for Mr Blinken to cancel his trip while Republican former president Donald Trump, a declared presidential candidate for 2024, posted "SHOOT DOWN THE BALLOON!" on his Truth Social media platform.In a statement on Friday, China's foreign ministry said the balloon was for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and that it regretted that the airship had strayed into US airspace.
Billings resident Chase Doak, who filmed it on Wednesday, said at first he thought it was a star. "But I thought that was kind of crazy because it was broad daylight and when I looked at it, it was just too big to be a star," he said.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US secretary of state postpones China visit after spy balloon flies over MontanaAntony Blinken delays trip, as China claims balloon was for ‘meteorological’ purposes and was blown off course
Read more »
Penny Wong’s colonial history comments no source of tension, says UK foreign secretaryBritain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said his country would always be conscious of its colonial past within the Indo-Pacific but could not erase the past.
Read more »
Dominic Raab denies being abusive towards anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller – UK politics liveJustice secretary facing a number of bullying claims says Miller’s allegations are ‘baseless and malicious’
Read more »
Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, delaying promised electionsRegime chief says military will always be country’s ‘guardian’ regardless of who is in power, as streets empty on anniversary of army takeover
Read more »
Olivia Newton-John’s state funeral details confirmedA state memorial for beloved star Olivia Newton-John has finally been confirmed, with Australian fans able to attend or watch along to farewell the internationally acclaimed singer. 7NEWS
Read more »