A Chinese balloon over US skies triggers a diplomatic storm.
China and the United States have been at odds for several years.
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 is being used to spy. In response, it cancelled a planned visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
China maintains it is a civilian weather balloon that was blown off course.
So, how will strained ties between the two biggest economic powers affect the world?
Presenter: Dareen Abughaida
Guests:
Heino Klinck – Retired US Army colonel and senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Victor Gao – Vice president of the Center for China and Globalisation
Zeno Leoni – Lecturer in defence studies at King’s College London