China says more than 10 US balloons flew in its airspace in past year

China said on Monday that more than 10 US high-altitude balloons have flown in its airspace without its permission during the past year (Liu Zheng/AP)

China said on Monday that more than 10 US high-altitude balloons have flown in its airspace without its permission during the past year, following Washington’s accusation that Beijing operates a fleet of surveillance balloons around the world.

The Chinese allegation came after the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had crossed from Alaska to South Carolina, sparking a new crisis in bilateral relations that have spiralled to their lowest level in decades.