Tokyo
CNN
—
Japan stated Tuesday it “strongly” suspects three Chinese language spy balloons entered its airspace between 2019 and 2021.
Three “balloon-shaped flying objects” have been detected between November 2019 and September 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Protection stated, including that these have been “strongly presumed” to be “unmanned reconnaissance” plane flown by China.
The ministry stated it had requested the Chinese language authorities to “affirm the information relating to this matter by means of diplomatic channels” and strongly requested that this not occur once more.
Beijing on Wednesday rejected Tokyo’s allegations.
“We firmly oppose the Japanese facet’s smear marketing campaign in opposition to China within the absence of conclusive proof,” Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated in a daily press briefing.
The Japanese allegations comply with the flight of a Chinese language high-altitude balloon over the continental United States earlier this month.
US officers have claimed that balloon, which was shot down by a US Air Drive jet off the East Coast close to the Carolinas, was half of a big Chinese language navy surveillance program that has carried out at the very least two dozen missions over at the very least 5 continents lately.
China, nonetheless, has claimed it was a civilian analysis vessel blown off beam.
Wang, the Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson, accused Tokyo of falling consistent with Washington with its new allegations.
Japan ought to “uphold an goal and neutral place” and “cease following the US” by partaking in “deliberate hypothesis,” Wang stated.
The Japanese Ministry of Protection warned in its assertion that it will “attempt to gather and monitor” any balloons that intruded into Japan’s airspace with out permission.
Requested if Japan Air Self-Protection Drive jets would shoot down any unauthorized balloons, Protection Minister Yasukazu Hamada stated this was potential.
“Mandatory measures could also be taken when deemed crucial to guard the lives and property of residents,” Hamada stated.
