China protested to the United States the balloon dropped by an American warplane the previous day. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

“China expressed its strong displeasure at the United States’ use of force to attack a civilian drone and protested the United States.“, the message says.

It is also emphasized that China has repeatedly informed the US that the balloon is a civilian object and that it accidentally flew to US territory. For this reason, they emphasize the use of “excessive force” in the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement.

“China will resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of the enterprises concerned, while retaining the right to take the necessary additional measures in response.“, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On February 4, the US military shot down a Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

The balloon entered the US-Canada North America North American Continental Air Defense Command (NORAD) operating area in Alaska on January 27, Canadian airspace on January 30, and the continental United States over northern Idaho on January 31. .

At the same time, China claimed an unmanned aircraft for scientific and meteorological research. Due to the wind and the impossibility of control, it reached the territory of the United States. The Chinese balloon was shot down by an AIM-9X missile fired from an F-22 Raptor. The bullet landed on the ground at the first opportunity so as not to harm those on the ground.

“President Biden on Wednesday approved to lower the surveillance bubble as soon as the mission is complete without putting the lives of Americans in the bubble’s path at undue risk. After careful analysis, the US military command decided that dropping the balloon high above the ground posed an unreasonable risk to people over a large area due to the balloon’s size, height, and payload.‘, said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

A KC-135 Stratotanker and an F-22 Raptor refueling aircraft were spotted near the crash site. Also a US Navy P-8a Poseidon patrol aircraft and a US Coast Guard HC-130 search and rescue aircraft.

Drive reports that the F-22s with the call signs “FRANK01” and “FRANK02” are a tribute to Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr., the flying ace of the First World War and holder of the US Army Medal of Honor. Better known as the “Arizona Balloon Launcher”, which destroyed 14 German balloons and four planes. Fragments of the projectile fell 14 meters into the water, much shallower than expected. The remains of the balloon will be collected and examined by US special services.