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Chinese ‘spy’ balloon a spanner in US-China ties, but lines of communication stay open

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TOPSHOT - This handout photo from Chase Doak taken on February 1, 2023 and released on February 2 shows a suspected Chinese spy balloon in the sky over Billings, Montana. - The Pentagon said February 2 it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the United States, reviving tensions between the two countries just days ahead of a rare visit to Beijing by the top US diplomat. (Photo by Chase DOAK / CHASE DOAK / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / CHASE DOAK " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A suspected Chinese spy balloon in the sky over Billings, Montana, on Feb 1, 2023.

PHOTO: AFP

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WASHINGTON –

A huge Chinese balloon drifting in the stratosphere some 60,000ft above central United States

has put a spanner in what many hoped was budding detente between China and the United States, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

cancelling a much-anticipated trip to Beijing this weekend.

But there are hopes that the pause may be temporary.

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