China urges US to repair damage caused by ‘spy bubble’ crisis to relations
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Vinbin, at his regular press conference in Beijing, reiterated his view that the entry of the balloon, which he described as a “Chinese civil aircraft”, into US airspace. it was a completely unexpected and isolated incident.
Stating that the United States’ bursting of the bubble tested Washington’s sincerity in handling crises properly and stabilizing its relations with China, Vang said: “The United States is committed to handling this unexpected isolated incident properly, avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, and restoring bilateral relations”. and it should work with and in line with China to guide it towards stable development.” saying.
Regarding President Joe Biden’s words that he wanted to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to resolve the issue, and that the crisis showed the importance of keeping communication channels between the two countries open, Vang said: “While the United States is fueling the tension and escalating the crisis, on the other hand, the importance of communication and dialogue should not be emphasized,” he said.
Biden, in his statement yesterday, asserted that they want competition with China, not conflict, saying: “We do not intend a new Cold War. But I’m not apologizing. We will compete and manage this competition responsibly so that it does not become a conflict.” he had used the words.
Biden, who said he looks forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, said that by lowering the bubble they sent a clear message that “the violation of their sovereignty is unacceptable.” Biden emphasized that the crisis showed the importance of keeping communication channels open between the two countries.
VANG AND BLINKEN CLAIM TO SEE IN MUNICH
On the other hand, to resolve the balloon crisis through dialogue between the two countries, it is claimed that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s top diplomat Vang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Relations of the Communist Party. of China, will have a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference over the weekend.
The preparation of the meeting, which was first announced by the Reuters agency based on diplomatic sources, was also confirmed by some US media.
Vang will deliver a speech at the conference session titled “China’s Place in the World” tomorrow.
THE “SPY BALLOON” CRISIS BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA
The US Department of Defense reported on February 3 that a high-altitude intelligence balloon allegedly belonging to China was detected flying over the continental US and passed over some sensitive military installations in the state of Montana. , including nuclear warheads and long-range missiles. missile depots.
China claimed that the balloon was a civilian aircraft belonging to the country, was used for meteorological research, and because its controllability was limited, it accidentally entered US airspace as it was blown by the winds.
China’s statement did not satisfy Washington as Foreign Minister Antony Blinken canceled his planned visit to China, while on February 4, when the balloon rose over the Atlantic Ocean at the behest of President Joe Biden, was shot down by a US military fighter jet. in US territorial waters had been discarded.
The Beijing administration had protested against the United States on the grounds that it “interfered with the civilian drone by force.” (AA)