US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a diplomatic visit to China after a high-altitude Chinese balloon was spotted over the US. Blinken’s abrupt decision on Friday came just hours before he had been due to depart Washington for Beijing.
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“This is a civilian aircraft used for scientific purposes, mainly meteorological” and “originating from China”, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement. At the White House, however, Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed his visit to Beijing following the alleged Chinese spy balloon overflight over the United States.
On Friday, “the Chinese side regrets the accidental entry of the aircraft into U.S. airspace due to a force majeure,” he added. The Pentagon had warned on 2 February that it had detected a Chinese spy balloon flying over its territory. According to a senior defence official, the balloon’s purpose was “surveillance”.
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Why didn’t the US shoot down the balloon?
At the urging of President Joe Biden, the Defence Department examined the possibility of shooting down the balloon, but decided against it because of the potential risks to people on the ground, the source said on condition of anonymity.
“Affected by westerly winds and with limited self-manoeuvring capability, the aircraft veered away from its planned trajectory,” the Chinese diplomatic spokesman said. “The Chinese side will continue to communicate with the US side and properly handle this unexpected situation caused by a force majeure,” he added.
The incident comes days before US chief diplomat Antony Blinken’s visit to China. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday called off a planned trip to Beijing this weekend after his country detected a “Chinese spy balloon” flying over US territory.
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Senior State Department officials said in a call with reporters that the presence of the balloon was “a clear violation” of sovereignty and international law and was “unacceptable” and they have decided to postpone Blinken’s visit.
US Department officials said the US acknowledges and takes note of China’s “statement of regret”, even though the balloon’s presence in its airspace is “unacceptable” and a “clear violation” of its sovereignty.
Source: DW