[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Amid reports that the U.S. government has responded to a 'spy balloon' believed to have been launched by China, the Chinese government stated on the 3rd that it is "assessing the situation" and hopes "both sides will handle it calmly and prudently together."
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that he "is aware of the related reports" and emphasized that "speculating and propagandizing the matter before the facts are clearly revealed does not help in properly resolving the issue."
Spokesperson Mao said, "We hope that both the U.S. and China will handle this calmly and prudently. Speculation and groundless accusations do not help in properly resolving the issue," and stressed, "We hope to jointly handle this matter calmly and prudently with the U.S. side."
When asked whether this incident might affect U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken's visit to China, scheduled for the 5th to 6th as reported, Mao responded, "There is currently no news to announce regarding Secretary Blinken's visit to China." He added, "China, as a responsible country, has consistently strictly adhered to international law and has no intention of infringing on the territory or airspace of sovereign countries."
Earlier, Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said, "We have detected and are tracking a high-altitude reconnaissance device over the U.S. mainland," adding, "The U.S. Northern Command Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is closely tracking and monitoring it." A senior U.S. Department of Defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "We are confident this reconnaissance device belongs to China," and "Its purpose is clearly reconnaissance, and its flight path passed over several sensitive locations."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
