The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has condemned the shooting of its surveillance balloon which hovered astride the United States airspace. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the high-grade military action was an  “excessive reaction.” 

The surveillance device was shot down with a single missile by an F-22 fighter jet on Saturday when it had moved off the coast and was over the Atlantic Ocean. The fighter jet was accompanied by other warplanes deployed from Langley Air Force Base. 

China had earlier offered its regrets to U.S. authorities over the device drifting from its course, describing it as an “innocent mistake.” Beijing also emphasised the device’s abilities which were designed for weather research and meteorological purposes. 

The Pentagon agreed that the device could not obtain more information about the U.S. than those publicly available through satellite images. 

China does not consider the U.S. military action to be commensurate with an unplanned drifting of the civilian technological device which Beijing has appealed as Force Majeure. The foreign affairs ministry hinted in a statement that it may give further responses. 

“China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the US’s use of force to attack civilian unmanned airships. 

“The Chinese side has repeatedly informed the US side after verification that the airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure, which was completely accidental. 

“China clearly requires the US to handle it properly in a calm, professional, and restrained manner. 

“A spokesman for the US Department of Defense also stated that the balloon will not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel. Under such circumstances, the U.S. insists on using force, obviously overreacting and seriously violating international practice. 

“China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies while reserving the right to make further necessary reactions,” the statement said.