China balloon soaring over US deflates hopes for diplomatic thaw

The reaction in the United States to what appears to be an ill-timed spying mission will have lingering consequences for efforts to stabilize ties – already near historic lows.

The political uproar over a suspected Chinese spy balloon drifting over the United States did not just derail a planned visit to Beijing by the top US diplomat, it also threatens to upset attempts by both countries to steady an increasingly rocky relationship.