Meanwhile, as the diplomatic and military row over these UFOs rumbles on, China’s foreign ministry has claimed the US has flown balloons into its airspace more than 10 times in the past year.
“It’s not uncommon as well for the US to illegally enter the airspace of other countries,” spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular press briefing.
He said these breaches of its airspace had taken place “without any approval from Chinese authorities”.
“The first thing the US side should do is start with a clean slate, undergo some self-reflection, instead of smearing and accusing China,” Wang added.
He said Beijing had responded to the incursions in a “responsible and professional” manner.
For its part, Washington has firmly denied the allegation it is using balloons to spy on China.