Spokesperson's Statement: "Burden of Consequences if Situation Escalates"
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Wang Yi, member of the Communist Party Central Political Bureau and China's top diplomat, blamed the United States for the conflict between the two countries, calling the US designation and shooting down of a Chinese balloon as a reconnaissance balloon an "abuse of force."
On the 19th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement titled "China-US Contact Situation" under the spokesperson's name, stating that Wang Yi unofficially met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and expressed China's firm stance regarding the so-called flight incident. The two met the previous day (local time) at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany at the request of the US side.
Wang said, "The US action is a typical abuse of force, clearly violating international conventions and civil aviation regulations," adding, "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and stern protest."
He continued, "The United States is the world's largest surveillance and reconnaissance country, and high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over Chinese airspace multiple times," criticizing, "The US has no right to slander and smear China."
He warned, "What the US should do is show sincerity, properly acknowledge and resolve the damage caused by the abuse of force to China-US relations," adding, "If the US insists on escalating the situation, China will definitely stand together until the end, and all consequences will be borne by the US."
The king is a member of the Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]
Earlier, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported that Wang Yi mentioned the idiom "Gaixuanguangzhang" (改弦更張, meaning to change policy or attitude) to Secretary Blinken and said, "The damage caused by the abuse of force to China-US relations must be properly acknowledged and resolved."
Wang also addressed the Ukraine crisis and the Taiwan issue.
He said, "China has consistently played a constructive role in the Ukraine issue by upholding principles, recommending reconciliation, and promoting negotiations," adding, "The China-Russia relationship is based on non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting third parties, and it is a matter between two sovereign countries."
He continued, "We do not accept the US telling us what to do regarding China-Russia relations," and argued, "As a major power, the US should promote a political resolution to the crisis, not pour oil on the fire or take advantage of the situation for its own benefit."
Regarding the Taiwan issue, he emphasized, "To safeguard stability in the Taiwan Strait, opposition to Taiwan independence and adherence to the 'One China' principle are necessary," and stressed, "The US must respect the historical facts of the Taiwan issue, keep its political commitments, and practically apply the stance of not supporting Taiwan independence."
On the 4th (local time), the US classified a Chinese balloon that entered its territory as a reconnaissance balloon and shot it down using stealth fighters and other means.
In response, China strongly protested, saying the US used force to attack a civilian unmanned weather observation balloon.
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