China said on Sunday that it “strongly disapproves and protests” against the United States’ attack on an unmanned Chinese airship that strayed into U.S. airspace earlier this week.
“The U.S. use of force is a clear overreaction and a serious violation of international practice,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, adding that Beijing has asked Washington to handle the matter in a “calm, professional and restrained manner.”
The Chinese side has verified and informed the U.S. of the civilian nature of the airship and that its entry into the U.S. due to “force majeure was totally unexpected,” the ministry said.
