US President Joe Biden eventually ordered the shot down of the balloon, suspected of Chinese espionage. “But there are so many balloons in the world, will America shoot them all down?” Wang says.
Computer chips
The top Chinese diplomat also told the conference that the US is wrong in repeatedly portraying China as a geopolitical challenge. According to him, that fear is unfounded and America is trying to tarnish his country’s reputation. He cited the discussion of computer chips as an example.
Biden wants to invest billions in domestic chip manufacturing to become less dependent on China. The US president has also imposed far-reaching restrictions on chip exports to Chinese companies. “This is 100% protectionism and 100% selfishness,” Wang said.
Given the tensions between the two countries, it is unclear whether Wang and his American counterpart, Antony Blinken, will meet again in Munich. For several days there has been talk of a possible meeting, but no confirmation has arrived. Both ministers are still in the German city until Sunday.