US shoots down Chinese surveillance balloon after it traverses continental US first such incident

The U.S. military shoots down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon off the South Carolina coast after it traverses the entire continental United States over seven days. The Pentagon had tracked the balloon since it entered U.S. airspace in Alaska on January 28. The Biden administration waited until the balloon was over water to avoid debris on land. China calls the balloon a civilian "weather research" craft. The U.S. identifies it as a military surveillance platform with intelligence-collection equipment. Secretary of State Blinken postpones a planned China trip. The incident produces a major diplomatic row and renewed scrutiny of Chinese espionage capabilities.