China’s top foreign policy official on Saturday mocked the US response to a recent Chinese spy balloon flightcalled the US actions “ridiculous and hysterical” and an attempt “to divert attention from domestic problems.”
Official Wang Yi, a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party on foreign affairs, repeated his government’s statement that hot air balloons, which flew over several US states this month before President Xi Jinping President Biden ordered it shot down, as a “civilian” vehicle was blown off course. strong wind.
He made the remarks in a speech to the Munich Security Conference, which has largely focused on Ukraine, as suspense grew over whether he might meet Foreign Secretary Antony J. Blinken on the sidelines. . It will be the first high-level diplomatic exchange between Washington and Beijing since Blinken canceled a planned trip to China because of the hot air balloon incident.
Mr. Wang opened his appearance at the conference with remarks about Beijing’s desire for “peaceful coexistence” abroad, and reiterated China’s familiar warnings against interference. into their internal affairs and longstanding opposition to Taiwan’s independence.
In words that the United States may find encouraging, Wang also said that “nuclear war should not be waged,” a potential signal to Beijing’s ally, Moscow, that China would not tolerate for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, as well as Russian officials have at times threatened.
Wang added that countries “must come together to oppose the use of chemical and biological weapons under any circumstances.” American officials have warned that Russia may also be contemplating such attacks.
Mr. Wang said the war in Ukraine “must not continue”, although he was vague about who might be responsible, only saying that “some forces may not want to see peace talks succeed”. reality” and “may have larger strategic goals than Ukraine itself.” That language echoes claims by the Kremlin, rejected by the West, that Russia is willing to participate in peace talks peace of mind and that NATO has the goal of subjugating Russia.
Late Saturday, Mr Blinken appeared with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, and said he was confident Ukraine would win because “Ukrainians are fighting for their country,” adding, “Russians are not. Are not.” He said that the unification of the West is “stronger than ever” and that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia will face “a day of judgment”.
During the question-and-answer session, Mr. Wang harshly criticized the United States. He described the balloon as “a civilian unmanned airship” with limited maneuverability and said it “deviated” and was blown into US airspace.
“We have asked the US to handle the case calmly and professionally based on consultation with the Chinese side,” he said. “Unfortunately, the United States ignored these facts and used advanced fighters and shot down a hot air balloon with its missiles.”
“This is, I might say, absurd and hysterical. This is 100% abuse of the use of force,” Wang said, adding that Washington had violated an international convention on airspace management.
In the days after shooting down the Chinese hot air balloon, US warplanes shot down three other objects in the skies above North America that US officials now say they believe are harmless and may not come from China.
“Around the world, there are many hot air balloons from different countries flying in the sky,” said Mr. Wang. Do you want to take down every single one of them?
He did not mention a potential meeting with Mr Blinken or a possible call between President Biden and China’s top leader, Xi Jinping. Mr. Biden said in his address to the nation on Thursday that he hoped to speak with Mr. Xi on the issue.
When reporters who ran into Mr. Wang in the conference corridor asked him about the possibility of a Blinken meeting, he just chuckled.
