'Right to take action...': China warns as US shoots down balloon amid tension

The use of force against the balloon, which China said is for civilian use and entered the US accidentally, was an “obvious overreaction” and violated international standard practices, China said Sunday.

China said it’s “strongly” discontented with the US downing of its balloon and reserves the right for any necessary reaction to the incident.

The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S. Saturday. (REUTERS)

The use of force against the balloon, which China said is for civilian use and entered the US accidentally, was an “obvious overreaction” and violated international standard practices, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

More details awaited.