BEIJING — China mentioned Wednesday it’s going to take measures in opposition to U.S. entities associated to the downing of a suspected Chinese language spy balloon off the American East Coast.

At a day by day briefing, International Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave no particulars and didn’t establish the targets of the measures.

China says the balloon was a unmanned climate airship that was unintentionally blown off target and accuses the U.S. of overreacting in bringing it down with a missile fired from an F-22 fighter jet.

Because the Feb. 4 downing of the balloon, america has sanctioned six Chinese language entities it mentioned are linked to Beijing’s aerospace applications.

The U.S. Home of Representatives subsequently voted unanimously to sentence China for a “brazen violation” of U.S. sovereignty and efforts to “deceive the worldwide group by way of false claims about its intelligence assortment campaigns.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken additionally canceled a go to to Beijing that many hoped would stabilize ties which have cratered amid disputes over commerce, human rights, Taiwan and China’s declare to the South China Sea.

Whereas China denies the balloon was a army asset, it has but to say what authorities division or firm was accountable.

After initially expressing remorse over the balloon’s entry into U.S. airspace, China has returned spying accusations in opposition to Washington, alongside threats of retaliation.

“China firmly opposes this and can take countermeasures in accordance with the regulation in opposition to the related U.S. entities that undermine China’s sovereignty and safety,” Wang mentioned at Wednesday’s briefing.

China will “resolutely safeguard nationwide sovereignty and its reputable rights and pursuits,” Wang mentioned.

Additionally Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel mentioned the Chinese language balloon’s intrusion was a part of a sample of aggressive conduct by Beijing.

Emanuel famous China’s latest beaming of military-grade laser on a Philippine coast guard patrol vessel, the harassment of U.S. planes by Chinese language jets and China’s opening of unlawful police stations within the U.S., Eire and different nations.

“The balloon to me just isn’t an remoted incident,” Emanuel mentioned.

If China desires to be a revered member of the worldwide group, “then you definately act appropriately to sure primary premises. That’s, you don’t open police stations in different nations unaware of their legal guidelines as in case your legal guidelines don’t have any boundaries,” he mentioned.

“This isn’t precisely the qualities and traits of the great neighbor coverage,” the ambassador mentioned, referring to China’s outreach to nations within the Asia-Pacific area.

On Tuesday, Japan’s Protection Ministry mentioned not less than three flying objects noticed in Japanese airspace since 2019 have been strongly believed to have been Chinese language spy balloons. It mentioned it has protested and requested explanations from Beijing.

Senior lawmakers in Japan’s governing celebration on Wednesday mentioned they have been contemplating increasing the Self Protection Power regulation to additionally embody violations of Japanese airspace by international balloons.

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Related Press author Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.