Spy balloon or airship? China and US can't seem to agree!
China has accused the United States of violating international treaties and basic principles of international law by describing a Chinese civilian unmanned airship as a "spy balloon" and using force to shoot it down.
The US military downed the airship after it unexpectedly entered US airspace on February 4th, prompting an ongoing investigation.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, criticized the US for operating unilaterally and secretly in salvaging the wreckage and analyzing the debris.
China has requested progress reports through consular protection but received no response from the US.
Wang stated that China has explicitly told the US that the airship's entry was unintended and caused by force majeure.
He questioned the credibility of the investigation, stating that the US's position has been hijacked by domestic politics and serves the strategy of containing and suppressing China.
Wang also raised suspicions about whether the investigation report has already been concocted, given President Biden's early order to shoot down the airship by force.
He dismissed the report's conclusions as repeating false statements and groundless accusations often spread by the US against China.
In response, the US should respect the principles of international law and norms, stop abusing force, and ensure the independence, openness, and transparency of the investigation, Wang concluded..
China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, criticized the US for operating unilaterally and secretly in salvaging the wreckage and analyzing the debris.
China has requested progress reports through consular protection but received no response from the US.
Wang stated that China has explicitly told the US that the airship's entry was unintended and caused by force majeure.
He questioned the credibility of the investigation, stating that the US's position has been hijacked by domestic politics and serves the strategy of containing and suppressing China.
Wang also raised suspicions about whether the investigation report has already been concocted, given President Biden's early order to shoot down the airship by force.
He dismissed the report's conclusions as repeating false statements and groundless accusations often spread by the US against China.
In response, the US should respect the principles of international law and norms, stop abusing force, and ensure the independence, openness, and transparency of the investigation, Wang concluded..
