Tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to grow. This Saturday, China considered that the controversial overflight of a Chinese observation balloon in the United States served as a pretext to “defame” the Middle Kingdom. The Pentagon announced on Friday that it had detected a large aerostat over the United States, and assured that it had no doubts about its Chinese origin and its use for espionage purposes.
The Chinese authorities, who refer to an “involuntary” intrusion, expressed their “regrets”. In view of this affair which is causing a stir in the United States, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken has postponed a rare visit planned to Beijing, supposed to ease tensions with the Chinese rival. “Some American politicians and media are using the incident as a pretext to attack and defame China,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Postponement of Blinken’s visit
“China always strictly abides by international law (…) and has never violated the territory and airspace of a sovereign country”, adds the ministry in reference to the flight over the United States of a balloon. Chinese sighting. Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, initially scheduled for Sunday and Monday, is “postponed” and will be rescheduled when “the conditions are met”, according to a senior official of the State Secretariat on condition of anonymity.
“In reality, neither China nor the United States had [officiellement] announced visit, “commented the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. “The publication of information [liées à cette visite] is the decision of the United States alone,” he added.