‘Spy’ Balloon over U.S. Skies Triggers Diplomatic Storm

Washington scrambles to counter Beijing’s rising economic and strategic Influence

A trade war, tensions on Taiwan, the South China Sea and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – the fault lines have widened as Washington scrambles to counter Beijing’s rising economic and strategic influence.
But this week’s appearance of a giant Chinese balloon over the skies of North America is threatening to further destabilise that relationship.
Washington says it’s being used to spy. In response, it cancelled a planned visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
China maintains it’s a civilian weather balloon that was blown off course.
As mistrust deepens, what lies ahead for the U.S.-China relationship?
 
Credit to : Al Jazeera English