The US Secretary of State met China’s Wang Yi in Munich.
(Photo: AP)
Washington, Munich US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s top foreign policy leader Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. This was confirmed by the US delegation on Saturday evening. Blinken addressed the “unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty and international law” by a Chinese surveillance balloon entering U.S. airspace, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Saturday. Blinken also said that such an incident should not be repeated. In addition, Blinken made it clear once again that Chinese support for Russia in the war of aggression against Ukraine would have consequences.
Blinken also underlined that the US was not looking for a conflict with China and did not want a new Cold War. However, they will defend their own values, Blinken once again confirmed the statements made by US President Joe Biden. Blinken stressed the importance of ongoing diplomatic dialogue.
It was the first meeting between the two top diplomats since a Chinese surveillance balloon was launched off the east coast of the United States about two weeks ago. The US government spoke of a spy balloon, while Beijing spoke of a civilian research balloon that had gone off course. The incident caused additional tension in the already strained relationship.
Before speaking to Blinken, Wang Yi had sharply criticized the US for the downing during an appearance at the conference. “This is, I would say, absurd and hysterical,” Wang said in a question and answer session after his speech at the conference, according to the official English translation. “This is a 100% abuse of the use of force. It is a violation of international rules.”
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