The echoes of outrage and disbelief have reverberated across the globe as the Chinese Defense Ministry vehemently denounces America’s actions. In a bold move, the United States shot down a Chinese aircraft, alleged to be engaged in espionage, over the skies of South Carolina.

The Chinese Defense Ministry cries foul, branding the shoot-down as an “obvious overreaction,” claiming that the aircraft had already breached U.S. airspace after traversing the entire mainland and Alaska.

In a ominous warning, the Chinese Defense Ministry hinted at possible retaliation, threatening to take reciprocal action against American civilian aircraft.

The implications of this cryptic statement hang heavy in the air, leaving the world to wonder what their next move may be.

On Friday, reports of a strange, circular flying object in the skies of Montana sent shockwaves across social media. In response to this unusual occurrence, the administration of President Joe Biden, known for his longstanding business connections to China, was forced to announce that it had detected an unauthorized balloon of Chinese origin over American soil.

The Chinese government, after initially denying any knowledge of the matter, eventually confirmed that the balloon was indeed from their country. However, they stated that it had been pushed off course and into American territory due to forces of nature beyond their control.

Subsequent reports following Friday’s revelation that the Chinese alleged spy balloon had entered America through Alaska and likely traveled down western Canada indicated the Pentagon was “well aware” of its existence as early as January 28, but chose not to comment on it publicly. Social media images of the balloon and public concern reportedly forced a public explanation of the situation.

The Chinese government claimed the balloon was a “meteorological” research vessel for “civilian” purposes that had accidentally left Chinese airspace. The Pentagon initially refused to shoot it down, citing the potential that debris would fall on the grounds and injure Americans, and readied the public for the balloon to “be over the United States for a few days” as of Friday. By Sunday, however, in response to widespread public outrage in America, the Department of Defense confirmed that it had used fighter aircraft to shoot it down.

Subsequent reports following Friday’s revelation that the Chinese alleged spy balloon had entered America through Alaska and likely traveled down western Canada indicated the Pentagon was “well aware” of its existence as early as January 28, but chose not to comment on it publicly. Social media images of the balloon and public concern reportedly forced a public explanation of the situation.

The Chinese government claimed the balloon was a “meteorological” research vessel for “civilian” purposes that had accidentally left Chinese airspace. The Pentagon initially refused to shoot it down, citing the potential that debris would fall on the grounds and injure Americans, and readied the public for the balloon to “be over the United States for a few days” as of Friday. By Sunday, however, in response to widespread public outrage in America, the Department of Defense confirmed that it had used fighter aircraft to shoot it down.

The Communist Party of China, which started the crisis by violating the sovereignty of the United States, expressed outrage and disgust on Sunday at the Pentagon for taking action, albeit belatedly, on the invading aircraft – and threatened to potentially shoot American civilian aircraft out of the sky.

On Sunday, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry, vehemently condemned the U.S. attack on a Chinese civilian unmanned airship. He referred to the shootdown as an “obvious overreaction” and a “political show.”

The state-run propaganda outlet Global Times echoed Colonel Tan’s remarks, noting his warning that China reserves the right to take necessary measures in similar situations, which the newspaper interpreted as a threat to shoot down American civilian aircraft. The Global Times also criticized the Pentagon’s use of an F-22 fighter jet to take down the invading balloon, calling it an excessive use of military technology, likening it to “shooting a mosquito with a cannon.”

According to anonymous Chinese “experts” cited by the Global Times, the use of the F-22 was too costly for the interception of an unmanned, unpowered balloon that merely travels with the wind. Another regime-approved expert stated that the use of the advanced stealth fighter jet sends a message of disregard for the distinction between civilian and military aircraft, setting a “very bad precedent.”

The Chinese balloon was unmanned and posed no threat to anyone in the air. However, the Pentagon deemed its destruction necessary, citing potential danger to those on the ground.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry addressed the balloon incident in much less strident terms than the Defense Ministry. During her regular press briefing on Monday, spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated that Beijing had no intention of sending the balloon into the United States. Mao indirectly accused Washington, however, of attempting to deteriorate its ties to Beijing.

Calling the balloon crisis “unexpected and isolated,” Mao warned that it “tests … whether the U.S. is sincere about stabilizing and improving its relations with China.”

In addition to shooting down the balloon, the Biden administration reportedly chose to postpone a visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Neither American nor Chinese officials had confirmed the visit, widely reported to have been planned to begin on Sunday and potentially included an in-person meeting with dictator Xi Jinping.

The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, reported on Sunday that Blinken held a conversation on Friday with top Politburo member Wang Yi, who was China’s foreign minister until recently, in which Wang berated Blinken about “groundless speculation and hype.”

“China is a responsible country and has always strictly abided by international law. We do not accept any groundless speculation and hype,” Wang reportedly said. According to the state publication, the two diplomats “communicated on how to deal with the incident in a calm and professional manner,” he stated, without elaborating.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to reports of Blinken canceling his Beijing visit by asserting on Saturday, “Neither side has ever announced that there would be a visit.”

China’s insistence that the balloon was a scientific research vessel mirrors its defense of growing bases in the South China Sea – many of them on the soil of foreign countries illegally – that appear to have obvious military uses. The Communist Party has spent the better part of the past decade building artificial islands near the Spratly and Paracel Islands, which belong to the Philippines and Vietnam, and equipping them with advanced surveillance, missiles, and other military assets. Chinese officials have repeatedly insisted the facilities are for marine biology and meteorological research purposes, calling into question its similar claims about the invading balloon.

China also has, however, a lengthy recent history of sending dangerous projectiles into the sky and losing control of them. In 2021, the Chinese government famously launched a giant Long March-5B rocket into space with parts of a planned space station. Upon reentry, Chinese officials lost control of the rocket, threatening the lives of everyone on earth, as Chinese officials could not control or predict where it would land. The rocket ultimately landed safely in the waters off the Maldives but elicited global condemnation nonetheless.

China is “failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris,” NASA asserted at the time, prompting Chinese propaganda outlets to accuse NASA scientists of “fussiness.”

In November, the reports of an uncontrolled Chinese rocket hurtling towards Earth prompted multiple European airports to shut down in fear of a potential crash on the continent. Though the rocket eventually landed safely in the Pacific Ocean, the fear of a possible impact caused disruption to flights in Spain and France.