Presence of Chinese balloon is likely to complicate efforts to reset relations with Beijing

The U.S. tracked what officials called a Chinese reconnaissance balloon over the continental states. Amateur videos showed a large object flying over Montana. China said it was a weather monitoring device that blew off course. Photo: Andy Wong/AP

WASHINGTON—The Biden administration said that a suspected Chinese reconnaissance balloon drifting over the continental U.S. violated American sovereignty, and indefinitely postponed a scheduled visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken aimed at easing the acrimony in the nations’ relationship.

Officials pulled the plug on the trip hours before Mr. Blinken was set to depart, underscoring the enormous challenges of finding areas of constructive cooperation, even as both capitals reiterated on Friday their commitment to reviving talks at a later date.

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