The President of the United States, Joe Biden, said that the shooting of a Chinese reconnaissance balloon that appeared over the United States recently would not affect the relationship between the United States and China.
President Biden answered a related question from reporters at the White House yesterday (6th), saying, “We made it clear to China what we will do,” and “they understand our position.”
“We will not return, we did the right thing,” he emphasized.
“It’s not a matter of weakening or strengthening (US-China ties), it’s just a matter of reality,” he said.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard established a temporary safety area off the coast of South Carolina to recover the remains of a Chinese reconnaissance balloon and continue the search operation.
In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Maoning said at a regular briefing today (7th) when asked if he had asked the United States to return the wreckage of the balloon, saying, “The balloon is not American ,” adding, “The Chinese government continues to protect China’s legitimate rights and interests. He will do that,” he said.
Earlier, the US Department of Defense announced on the 2nd that a Chinese balloon believed to be for reconnaissance appeared over the US, and on the 4th it was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet.
In response, the Chinese government claims that the balloon is a civilian instrument for weather observation, and that it is forcibly entering US airspace.
VOA news
* This article was sourced from Reuters.
