**China-US Tensions Rise as Beijing Accuses Washington of Sending Balloons Over Chinese Airspace**
Tensions between China and the United States have escalated after Beijing accused Washington of sending high-altitude balloons into Chinese airspace without permission. The incident has further strained relations between the two superpowers and raised concerns about the potential for a broader conflict.
On February 4, the US military shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina. China initially claimed that the balloon was a civilian research vessel that had drifted off course, but the US government maintained that it was a surveillance device.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the US action and accusing Washington of violating Chinese sovereignty. The ministry said that the balloon had entered US airspace .
