China Says US Should Return Debris From Balloon It Shot Down
- China says for the first time it wants the aircraft back
- Dispute prompted secretary of state to cancel Beijing visit
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A prominent Chinese diplomat said the US should return debris from the balloon it shot down because it is the Asian nation’s property, putting the decision over the aircraft’s remains in Washington’s hands.
“If you pick up something on the street, you should return it to the owner, if you know who the owner is,” said Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to France. Beijing maintains that the aircraft was a civilian climate research vehicle, though the US says it was for surveillance.