A close read of Beijing's official statement shows it doesn't think the US violated international law by shooting down its balloon, says a legal expert who studies China

Mon, 02/06/2023 - 03:20

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and members of his delegation meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and officials on January 15, 2023 in Cairo, Egypt.
Fadel Dawod/Getty Images

China didn't accuse the US of violating international law when the Pentagon shot down its balloon.
That means Beijing doesn't think the balloon's fate broke such laws, a legal expert told the NYT.
China has aggressively accused the US of breaking international law many times in the past.

China's response on Sunday to the US shooting down a Chinese balloon shows that Beijing doesn't think Washington violated international law, said a legal expert who studies China.