US Not Planning to Return Wreckage of Destroyed Chinese Balloon to Beijing

Washington is not planning to return the wreckage of the destroyed balloon to Beijing. This was stated by John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council, during a briefing.

“I am not aware of any such intentions or plans,” he said.

It is worth recalling that on February 3, the Pentagon detected a reconnaissance balloon over the U.S. mainland. Later, China officially admitted that it was their civilian balloon that had deviated from its course due to wind.

On February 4, U.S. military personnel destroyed the balloon over South Carolina. In response, Chinese authorities prepared a presentation and lodged a strong complaint with Washington.

Additionally, the People's Republic of China announced that the destruction of the balloon had harmed the relations between the two countries.