Facts

• China on Monday accused the US of flying high-altitude balloons over PRC airspace without permission at least 10 times since early last year. Wang Wenbin, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said, "It is nothing rare for U.S. balloons to illegally enter other countries’ airspace."^[1]
• Wang didn't specify whether the balloons were for military or espionage purposes, but suggested that the US should re-evaluate and change its international behavior.^[2]
• This comes after the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, as well as three additional unidentified flying objects of unknown origins in recent days. US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson called the accusation China's attempt at "damage control."^[3]
• Watson added that China has violated "the sovereignty" of "over 40 countries across five continents." In the wake of the first balloon incident, US Sec. of State Antony Blinken canceled his planned trip to Beijing.^[4]
• As US officials say the sudden increase in detected flying objects might be due to enhanced airspace scrutiny and radar operations by the Pentagon, China is reportedly currently monitoring an object flying over its own airspace over the water near the city of Rizhao.^[1]