A Chinese high-altitude reconnaissance balloon violated U.S. airspace last week, and the U.S. military subsequently shot down the balloon.

US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder pointed out on the 7th that the Pentagon proposed to speak with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe last Saturday, but was rejected by the Chinese side.

(AFP)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] The Pentagon disclosed last week that a Chinese reconnaissance balloon broke into U.S. airspace, and the U.S. military subsequently shot down the balloon.

US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder pointed out on the 7th that the Pentagon proposed to speak with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe last Saturday, but was rejected by the Chinese side.

According to foreign media reports, China's high-altitude reconnaissance balloon violated the U.S. airspace last week, which aroused international concern. The U.S. Department of Defense spokesman Ryder issued a statement on the 7th, pointing out that after the U.S. military shot down the balloon last Saturday, the Pentagon immediately proposed to contact the U.S. Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe spoke on the phone, but China rejected the US request.

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Ryder said that the U.S. side will continue to be committed to opening communication channels, and emphasized that it is important for the U.S. and China to maintain unimpeded communication channels in order to manage bilateral relations responsibly.