Biden has been criticized by Republicans for the US Navy looking for the remains of a downed Chinese balloon. Last Minute WORLD headlines and events

The US Navy is searching the Atlantic for the remnants of a spy balloon that was seen in midair for several days and was shot down on Saturday by an F-22 fighter jet allegedly being used by China for reconnaissance purposes. .

Navy divers search for the remains of a Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

It is alleged that the wreckage of the balloon scattered over an area about 10 km wide in the ocean.

America’s goal is to study the information contained in the balloon.

While Washington says the balloon is for reconnaissance purposes, Beijing denies this.

Some Republican congressmen are criticizing President Biden for what is happening.

Republican Senator Tom Tillis said Biden was neglecting his duties, while Republican House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner said the Biden administration does not understand the urgency of the situation.

Turner noted that it was clear that this was an attempt by China to obtain information.

Republican Marco Rubio, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, also said the purpose of the event was to embarrass Biden ahead of his State of the Union address.

Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer said senators will be briefed on the matter this month.

reaction from china

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Beijing will continue to protect its legitimate rights and interests, and also reserves the right to retaliate.

China claims that the balloon in question is not for reconnaissance purposes, but is a research balloon that has gone astray.

The Pentagon, on the other hand, denies this claim and says the balloon was for reconnaissance purposes.

The balloon was dropped by a rocket launched from an F-22 fighter jet over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.

President Joe Biden personally told reporters that the balloon had been deflated and said he gave the order for its descent on Wednesday.

It is stated that the Pentagon is waiting for the right moment to deflate the balloon so that no one is hurt on the ground.

US military officials say the balloon entered US airspace over Alaska Jan. 28, crossed into Canadian airspace on Monday, and re-entered US airspace from Idaho on Tuesday.

President Biden was also informed of this that day.

The balloon was later spotted on Wednesday over Montana, where nuclear missile depots are located.

Following the incident, Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken’s planned visit to China was postponed.

The incident in question is said to have further strained relations between the two countries, which were already tense.

A US official said Chinese spy balloons have been spotted in US airspace in recent years.

According to the official, at least three spy balloons were found in US airspace under Trump, at least one under Biden, but none of them stayed in the air for so long.

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