Statement of the party China was announced by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country Uong Van Bin at the regular press conference on the same afternoon: “The China’s unmanned civil airship straying into US airspace is an unintended incident due to force majeure, China has repeatedly explained to the US side. But the US has abused force, overreacted, escalated the situation and used it as an excuse to illegally punish Chinese companies and organizations, China resolutely opposes this and will take action. take countermeasures against relevant US entities that have damaged China’s sovereignty and security in accordance with the law, resolutely protect national sovereignty as well as its legitimate rights and interests.” .
| A hot air balloon flies over Billings, Montana, March 1, 2022. Photo: Archyde.com |
Uong Van Bin also criticized Washington’s attitude as “not serious and irresponsible” when it did not verify the information provided by Beijing, but said that it “distributed false information” about the air pollution. The US bridge had flown over China’s airspace without permission.
He also added that, from May 2022 until now, the US has launched a large number of high-altitude hot air balloons from this country, continuously flying around the world, of which “at least 10 times illegally flew over the airspace. China’s airspace, including Xinjiang and Tibet, without the country’s consent”.
Before the above accusation, the National Security Council and the US State Department have both denied it.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated that the US action has “seriously affected and damaged the efforts and progress of stabilizing China-US relations since the meeting in Bali (Indonesia)”. . He urged Washington not to take more actions that harm Beijing’s interests, as well as not escalate and widen tensions, saying Washington needs to come up with an explanation, stop smearing and attacking the country. , and stated that “China reserves the right to make necessary further responses”.
The ongoing diplomatic dispute between China and the US revolves around the hot air balloon incident. Late last week, the United States blacklisted six Chinese entities for allegedly participating in the development of aerospace technology and equipment, including airships, as well as intelligence gathering activities of the United States. Chinese army. Beijing’s latest statement is said to be in retaliation for Washington’s decision to impose sanctions.