The United States and China are at odds over the disposal of the debris from a Chinese "reconnaissance balloon" (which China claims is a scientific research airship) that entered U.S. airspace and was shot down by the U.S. military.
John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), responded on the 6th (local time) during a briefing to a question about whether there are plans to return the balloon debris to China, saying, "As far as I know, there is no intention or plan to return it." On the other hand, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 7th in response to a question about whether China would demand the return of the downed balloon debris, "This airship is not American but Chinese," adding, "The Chinese government will continue to safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests." By asserting ownership, they left room for interpretation.
The United States argues that since the Chinese reconnaissance balloon violated U.S. airspace, the use of force was lawful. Conversely, China maintains that the balloon was a civilian airship conducting scientific research such as meteorological observation and that it entered U.S. airspace involuntarily due to the prevailing westerly winds, thus lacking the intent or awareness required to constitute an illegal act.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
