[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Although the United States shot down a Chinese "reconnaissance balloon" and China expressed strong dissatisfaction, both countries appeared to avoid a direct confrontation by claiming it was for civilian use.
By asserting that the balloon was not a government-level reconnaissance device but a civilian weather observation balloon, it is interpreted as an effort to minimize future conflicts between the two countries and to be mindful of international criticism.
On the 5th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the U.S. shooting down the reconnaissance balloon, emphasizing that the airship was for civilian use, entered U.S. territory due to force majeure, and that the situation was completely unexpected.
They repeatedly stressed that it was not an "invasion" of U.S. airspace but an unavoidable "drift," and that it was not for "reconnaissance" but for "weather observation," claiming there was never an intention to enter the U.S. airspace.
China particularly criticized the U.S. for showing an "excessive reaction" by using force despite multiple explanations of these facts.
Some speculate that this reconnaissance balloon incident will present a significant obstacle to China's efforts to improve relations with the United States.
China's claim of civilian use is expected to be verified once the U.S. collects and analyzes the remains of the reconnaissance balloon.
The U.S. has already collected the balloon debris and deployed naval destroyers, cruisers, and amphibious assault ships.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government currently remains confident that the balloon was for reconnaissance purposes. It emphasizes that the flight path of the reconnaissance balloon included security-sensitive areas such as intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) sites, viewing the military reconnaissance mission as the cause of the intrusion.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
