South Carolina police warned residents not to shoot at the Chinese spy balloon as it passed overhead Saturday morning.
The York County Sheriff’s Office released photos of the Chinese surveillance plane, which was spotted flying in the area between 9 and 10 a.m. On Saturday, ET. “‘That ain’t no moon,'” said the sheriff’s office on Facebook and Twitter.
“Yes, there are reports that the Chinese balloon is currently flying over our area at 60,000+ feet,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Don’t try to shoot it!!” said the post. “Your rifle rounds WILL NOT reach it; be responsible; what goes up, including your bullets, must come down.”
On Thursday, Pentagon officials revealed that a surveillance balloon believed to be of Chinese origin had been tracked flying over Montana. On Friday, China’s foreign ministry confirmed the balloon was Chinese, claiming it was a civilian weather aircraft that had gotten off course.
Chinese Spy Balloon Calling Its Presence In American Airspace A “Unacceptable” Breach Of American Sovereignty(Photo: San Antonio Express News)
Senior State Department officials refuted that claim, identifying it as a Chinese surveillance aircraft and describing its presence in American airspace as a “unacceptable” violation of American sovereignty. Because of the incident, Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a planned trip to China to meet with President Xi Jinping indefinitely, and called China’s actions “irresponsible” in a phone call with his counterpart Wang Yi on Friday.
Republicans have chastised President Biden for failing to shoot down the balloon. Senior US officials have warned that removing the balloon while it is flying over the continental US risks injuring American civilians or damaging infrastructure on the ground, which could be struck by falling debris.
According to the sheriff’s office, there have been no reports of people attempting to shoot down the balloon, and the statement was issued proactively.
Anyone shooting at the Chinese balloon from the ground will not only miss, but will also risk hitting unintended targets or people.
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