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US cancels Blinken's visit to China after tracking 'spy' balloon

US cancels Blinken's visit to China after tracking 'spy' balloon

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a trip to China after a Chinese 'spy' balloon was discovered flying over the US. Blinken was expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart and President Xi Jinping.

The visit would have come amid worsening tensions between the two countries. China has said the balloon was used for meteorological research and deviated from its course due to bad weather.

US officials have said they are convinced the "surveillance balloon" flying over the US is Chinese.

A statement from China's Foreign Ministry said it "regrets" the incident and will work with the US to resolve the issue.

Blinken's visit was expected to take place on February 5 and 6. A US official quoted by the Associated Press said the decision to abruptly end the trip was made by Blinken and President Joe Biden.

Source: BBC

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