US tells China 'balloon incident' must not happen again

Sunday, 19 February 2023 10:31

By Reuters

the US Navy retrieves the balloon off the coast of South Carolina. Photo: AFP

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that he told China's top diplomat Wang Yi that the violation of American airspace by a Chinese balloon can never happen again.

The US Secretary added that Wang did not apologise for the incident during their meeting in Munich.

Blinken, in an interview to be aired on Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press with Chuck Todd," added that the United States did not over-react in shooting down the balloon, and that there was no doubt it was attempting to engage in active surveillance.

Blinken also said the United States' main concern was the possibility that China would provide material support to Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

Just met with the PRC’s top diplomat, Wang Yi. I condemned the incursion of the PRC surveillance balloon and stressed it must never happen again. I warned China against providing materiel support to Russia. I also emphasized the importance of keeping open lines of communication.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 18, 2023

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