Beijing presented a formal protest to Washington regarding the destruction of a Chinese balloon that had entered US airspace. The statement came from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its official channels.
According to the Ministry, on February 5 Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Xie Feng conveyed on behalf of the Chinese government a solemn briefing to the official in charge at the US Embassy. The briefing addressed the use of force by the United States in relation to a civilian Chinese balloon that had traversed American skies.
A declaration from the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Washington, calling the United States actions senseless and irresponsible after the balloon was downed on US soil.
On February 5, reports indicated that US military forces shot down a civilian balloon originating from the People’s Republic of China over United States territory. In the United States, observers described the balloon’s flight as a potential spy device, while Beijing maintained that the balloon was civilian and had accidentally drifted into American airspace.
An Air Force systems specialist and head of independent research at IRIS later commented on the incident. The professional noted that the downing of what is described as a Chinese spy balloon marked a rare occurrence, reminiscent of a combat operation in Syria and Iraq almost a decade prior, when an F-22 Raptor fighter jet was deployed in similar fashion. The remark underscored the unusual nature of the event and reflected on evolving defensive postures in airspace surveillance and enforcement.