Despite reaching out to Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe through a special crisis line, the Chinese official declined the call, leaving Austin's efforts unanswered.
Grand Forks City Council in North Dakota voted unanimously to prevent the Fufeng Group from building a corn mill on land it purchased near an air base.
President Joe Biden says he gave his authorization to shoot down a Chinese high altitude balloon a day after he was first briefed on the suspicious device, which was hovering over sensitive US military sites, but defense officials convinced him to wait until it was safe for people on the ground.
Chinese-owned companies with close ties to the CCP purchase US military academies, sparking concerns about CCP influence in the education system and future military leaders.