The Chinese government tried to escape defensively by strongly criticizing the US military’s shooting down of a Chinese unmanned airship, which the US defined as a ‘reconnaissance balloon’, entering US airspace.
At a regular briefing on the 6th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Maoning reiterated the position that the balloon shot down by the US on the 4th was a Chinese civilian airship used for scientific research such as meteorological observation, and accidentally entered the US due to climate and other influences.
It was in response to criticism from the US side that China’s airspace entry was a violation of international law and a violation of its sovereignty.
“The US side intentionally exaggerated and even used an armed attack is an unacceptable and irresponsible act,” Mao said.
“China always views China-US relations according to the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, cooperation and co-prosperity, and at the same time firmly intends to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said.
In addition, when asked whether the dismissal of the director of the Meteorological Bureau of Zhuang Guotai, one of the senior officials of the State Council announced on the 3rd, was related to the balloon incident, spokesman Maoning said, “The Ministry of Human Resources and Resources announced the news on its website.” I don’t have anything,” he replied.
On the 3rd, the Ministry of Human Resources and Resources of China announced the dismissal of the director of the Meteorological Bureau of Zhuangguotai, along with other dismissal personnel, on the same day that the issue of ‘reconnaissance balloons’ was raised by the US announcement.
However, some point out that the dismissal of the weather bureau is unlikely to be related to the balloon issue, given that Zhuang, the former director of the Meteorological Bureau, was already appointed as the chairman of the Gansu Provincial People’s Political Consultative Conference in the middle of last month, more than 15 days before this issue surfaced.
On the other hand, the regular briefing held at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th was attended by foreign reporters, including American media, to the extent that it was difficult to find vacancies, reflecting the international community’s keen interest in the ‘reconnaissance balloon’ conflict.