An argument erupted between Chinese and U.S. representatives at the Munich Security Conference over the shooting down of an aerostat by Washington, Reuters reported.

Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi accused the U.S. of violating international norms, calling Washington's behavior almost "hysterical."

To send an advanced fighter jet to shoot down a balloon with a missile, such behavior is unbelievable, almost hysterical, Wang Yi said.

“There are so many balloons all over the world, so is the United States going to shoot all of them down?," he questioned.

“We ask the U.S. to show its sincerity and correct its mistakes, face up and resolve this incident, which has damaged Sino-U.S. relations,” he said.

Wang Yi's comments further overshadowed the prospects of Wang meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the meeting. When asked by Reuters if he would meet with Blinken, Wang Yi only smiled and declined to comment.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris later hit back at the PRC representative, saying she was concerned that China has deepened its relationship with Russia since the Feb. 24 invasion and that Chinese support for Russia would undermine the rules-based international order.

A Chinese balloon allegedly intended to gather intelligence - Beijing denies this - was in the skies over Canada and the United States for a week before President Joe Biden ordered its downing. The episode strained relations between Washington and Beijing, causing Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to postpone his trip to China.