China says US high-altitude balloons have flown in its airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of January 2022.
- China's foreign ministry said Beijing's response to such incidents was responsible and professional
- The US shot down what it says was a Chinese spy balloon earlier this month
- Beijing says the balloon was a civilian research craft and has accused Washington of overreacting
"It's not uncommon as well for the US to illegally enter the airspace of other countries," foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a briefing.
"Since last year alone, US balloons have illegally flown above China more than 10 times without any approval from Chinese authorities," he added.
Mr Wang, responding to a question at a regular media briefing in Beijing, did not provide further details.
Asked how China had responded to the flights, Mr Wang said China's response to such incidents was responsible and professional.
"If you want to know more about US high-altitude balloons illegally entering China's airspace, I suggest you refer to the US side," he added.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby flatly denied Beijing's assertions.
"Not true. Not doing it. Just absolutely not true," he said in an interview with MSNBC.
"We are not flying balloons over China."
China's claim comes after the United States earlier this month shot down what it says was a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
Beijing says the balloon was a civilian research craft and has accused Washington of overreacting.
The US military has shot down four flying objects over North America in recent days.
US officials shot down the first object, from China, off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.
On Friday, a second object was shot down over sea ice near Deadhorse, Alaska.
And a third object was destroyed over Canada's Yukon on Saturday, with investigators still hunting for the wreckage.
"The security of citizens is our top priority and that's why I made the decision to have that unidentified object shot down," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Sunday.
On Monday, the US shot down another flying object over Lake Huron near the United States-Canadian border.
The latest incident has raised questions about the spate of unusual objects that have appeared in North American skies in recent weeks and raised tensions with China.
North America has been on guard against aerial intrusions following the appearance of the white, eye-catching Chinese airship over American skies earlier this month.
That 60-metre-tall balloon — which Americans have accused Beijing of using to spy on the United States — caused an international incident, leading Secretary of State Antony Blinken to call off a planned trip to China only hours before he was set to depart.
Pentagon officials say they have been scrutinising radar more closely since then.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the recent incidents form part of a pattern which highlights the need for the alliance to be vigilant.
"What we saw over the United States is part of a pattern where China and also Russia are increasing surveillance activities on NATO allies," he said.
ABC/wires