(ANSA) - BEIJING, FEBRUARY 05 - China "expresses its strong dissatisfaction and strongly protests against the shooting down of its civilian unmanned airship" completed a few hours ago by the United States.
This can be read in a note from the Foreign Ministry, according to which the American side insisted "in using force, obviously reacting excessively and seriously violating international practice" despite the danger requirements and the affirmed "civilian use of the airship ".
China "will resolutely safeguard the rights and legitimate interests of the companies concerned, reserving the right to carry out further necessary reactions".
China "has repeatedly informed the US side, after having made the necessary checks, that the airship is for civilian use and that it entered US airspace due to force majeure, completely accidental", the note continues.
At the same time, Beijing "clearly requested the United States to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and sober manner. A US Department of Defense spokesman also said the balloon did not pose a military threat to ground personnel."
(HANDLE).