Because of the balloon affair: US Secretary of State Blinken and Wang Yi from China meet Suddenly Putin is the victim: how Alice Schwarzer and Sahra Wagenknecht twist facts

This was confirmed by the US delegation on Saturday evening. Blinken spoke of the “unacceptable violation of US sovereignty and international law” by a Chinese surveillance balloon entering US airspace, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Saturday.

Blinken also said that such an incident should not be repeated. In addition, Blinken once again made it clear that Chinese support for Russia in the war of aggression against Ukraine would have consequences.

Blinken also underlined that the US was not out for a conflict with China and did not want a new Cold War. However, they will defend their own values, Blinken reaffirmed US President Joe Biden’s statements. Blinken stressed the importance of an ongoing diplomatic dialogue.

It was the first meeting between the two top diplomats since a Chinese surveillance balloon launched off the US east coast about two weeks ago. The US government spoke of a spy balloon, while Beijing spoke of a civilian research balloon that had gone off course. The incident added tension to the already strained relationship.

Before speaking to Blinken, Wang Yi had sharply criticized the US for bringing it down during a performance at the conference. “That is, I would say, absurd and hysterical,” Wang said in a question-and-answer session after his speech at the conference, according to the official English translation. “This is 100% abuse of the use of force. It is a violation of international rules.” (sda/dpa)