Chinese Foreign Ministry Called Out U.S. Overreaction to Balloon

Feb. 4, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a response tonight to the U.S. handling of the incident over the errant balloon, after a U.S. fighter jet shot it down off the coast of South Carolina today. The Ministry stated, as tweeted by the state-affiliated People’s Daily, that China had “clearly requested that the U.S. properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner,” but the U.S. “insisted on using force, clearly overreacting and seriously violating international practice.” Further, “China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of relevant enterprises,” and will “reserve the right to make further necessary responses.”

On Feb. 3, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had issued a moderate response to the U.S. postponement of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned visit to Beijing which was supposed to be Feb. 5-6.

“China always acts in strict accordance with international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We have no intention to violate, and have never violated, the territory or airspace of any sovereign country. Some politicians and media in the U.S. have hyped it up to attack and smear China. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that,”

it said.

“Maintaining contact and communication at all levels is an important common understanding reached by the Chinese and U.S. presidents at their meeting in Bali. One of the tasks of the diplomatic teams on both sides is to properly manage bilateral relations, particularly to manage some unexpected situations in a cool-headed and prudent manner,”

the statement concluded. “In fact, neither side has ever announced that there would be a visit. It is a matter for the U.S. to make its latest announcement, and we respect that.”