China working to 'verify' spy balloon reports
China is trying to "verify" information concerning an alleged spy balloon that has been flying over the United States territory since Wednesday, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Friday, and urged the US to remain "cool-headed."
Pentagon previously stated that it is "confident" that the high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to China, confirming that it poses no threat to the US military nor to people on the ground. The news comes as Canada reported a "potential second incident" involving another surveillance balloon, confirming that it is cooperating with Washington to track the flying object.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to pay a two-day visit to Beijing on February 5, holding high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.