Beijing threatens non-specific actions against American organizations

BEIJING, China – China said on Wednesday it would take action against US organizations linked to the beating. suspected Chinese spy balloon off the east coast of America.

At the daily briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not provide details or specify the purpose of these measures.

China claims the balloon was an unmanned airship that accidentally went off course and accuses the US of overreacting by shooting it down with a missile fired from an F-22 fighter jet.

After the balloon was shot down on February 4, the US imposed sanctions on six Chinese entities it says are linked to Beijing’s aerospace programs.

Later the US House of Representatives voted unanimously to condemn China for “brazen violations” of US sovereignty and efforts to “deceive the international community through false statements about its intelligence-gathering campaigns.” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also canceled a visit to Beijing that many had hoped would stabilize relations that have soured amid disputes over trade, human rights, Taiwan and China’s claims to the South China Sea.

While China denies the balloon was a military asset, it has yet to say which government department or company is responsible.

After initially expressing regret over the balloon’s entry into US airspace, China has returned accusations of espionage to Washington along with threats of retaliation.

“China strongly opposes this and will take countermeasures in accordance with the law against relevant US entities that undermine China’s sovereignty and security,” Wang said at a briefing on Wednesday.

China will “resolutely defend national sovereignty and its legitimate rights and interests,” Wang said.

Also on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said the Chinese balloon invasion was part of a pattern of aggressive behavior by Beijing.

Emanuel pointed to China’s recent firing of a military laser at a Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship, the pursuit of US aircraft by Chinese aircraft and China’s opening of illegal police stations in the US, Ireland and other countries.

“The hot air balloon is not an isolated incident for me,” Emanuel said.

If China wants to be a respected member of the international community, “you act according to certain basic principles. that is, you do not open police stations in other countries without knowing their laws, as if your laws have no boundaries,” he said.

“These are not exactly the qualities and characteristics of the good-neighbor policy,” said the ambassador, referring to China’s activity in the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that at least three flying objects spotted in Japanese airspace since 2019 were strongly believed to be Chinese spy balloons. He said he had protested and sought an explanation from Beijing.

Senior lawmakers in Japan’s ruling party said on Wednesday they were considering expanding a law on self-defense forces to include violations of Japanese airspace by foreign balloons.

Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.