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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Verna Yu

China using spy balloon drama to drum up nationalistic fervour

China United States Joe Biden Xi Jinping Global Times Sina Weibo
The Chinese balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down on 4 February.
The Chinese balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down on 4 February. Photograph: EyePress News/REX/Shutterstock

Amid the diplomatic spat over the high-altitude balloon that flew across North America before being shot down by the US air force, China is taking the opportunity to drum up nationalistic fervour among its citizens – and the tactic appears to be working well.

The balloon incident has burst the facade of a three-month, uneasy peace between China and the US since the summit between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November.

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